Trowers & Hamlins

Why Trowers & Hamlins?

We have run successfully a German Referendar programme for 28 years.  Our programme consists of spending some time generally in both our litigation and our corporate departments.  Like any of our other trainees we expect you to be a full member of the team from the day you join. You will be given responsibility and will work on client files in conjunction with a partner or an assistant.   Sharing an office with a partner or an assistant means that they be responsible for your training and day to day development.  We want to make your time with us as useful to you as it is to us.

We aim to take on two German Referendars at any one time, although should you find yourself to be the only one you will still find it easy to join in.  Trowers & Hamlins is a sociable firm and there are many official and unofficial social activities organised on a regular basis; for example we have an annual party, pub quizzes and karaoke evenings, but quite often you will find yourself invited for a drink after work.

If you would like to learn more about how to become a Referendar with us then please contact Hannah King on hking@trowers.com.  Hannah is our Graduate Recruitment Officer who runs the Referendar programme; she will also be responsible for helping you integrate into the practice once you have arrived and will be on hand to answer queries and help you settle in.

Insider view

Dr. jur. John-Robert Skrzepski
Hamburg/Germany
Referendar – 2007

As a German Rechtsreferendar I spend three months at Trowers & Hamlins right in the heart of London surrounded by the Tower of London and the famous Tower Bridge. My decision was the right one, starting in the Corporate department in the first six weeks I was involved in the daily track and supported in concerns like research, registration of new companies as well as new jurisdiction. Afterwards I moved to the litigation department and again the working atmosphere and the colleagues were great. I felt like a member of the team. I was particularly involved in matters like a huge construction case and the enforcement of an English Court decision in different countries.  I attended a High Court Case that was published next morning in all newspapers in Britain. A further working highlight during my time at Trowers & Hamlins was the reporting about termination rules in Germany in front of the employment department.

In respect of the social life I will never forget the firms celebration of the title “Law Firm of the Year”, the annual department dinner as well as the numerous after work meetings with my colleges. For sure, from now on some of them are friends.

Philipp Mitterbauer
Rechtsanwalt (German Attorney)
Referendar 2006

My time with Trowers & Hamlins was truly enriching. Since I am specialising in international tax planning for high net-worth individuals my time in Trowers & Hamlins' renowned private client department was a great experience.  I was involved mainly in international tax and trust issues and gained insight into a private client lawyer's daily practice.  My colleagues, from trainee to partner, were friendly and helpful and I felt fully integrated in the firm.

Ronny Bliedtner
Referendar 2005

In 2004 I decided to work as a Referendar in London. While searching on the web I found the website of Trowers & Hamlins and applied for a 3-month period in 2005 via e-mail, because it sounded very interesting. I was totally surprised that I got a quick and professional answer. First of all I had to fill a questionnaire and after checking it I was got invited for a telephone interview. It was both very professional and very friendly. After just 2 weeks I got the affirmation to work at Trowers. I was very happy and found comfortable accommodation via the website http://www.rollonfriday.com/.
At the end of February 2005 I started my trip to London. I was much exited and looking forward. I went to the address of Trowers and couldn’t believe my eyes. The office building is situated directly near the Tower and the Tower Bridge. You have a wonderful view out of the window and at lunch time you can walk around the Tower.

At my first working day I had a meeting with the graduate recruitment officer and he explained me some organisational things before I got a health & safety training and a 1-day IT-training. I got an identity card with my photo on it to identify and to open the doors and I was introduced at the library. Later the team of the library helped me very often! Again: very professional. Furthermore he introduced me to the other German Referendar, Ira. Usually there are working two German Referendars at Trowers for several periods. Therefore one of both is experienced in working at Trowers and can help the other Referendar to orient. Ira was very cooperative and helped me to settle in. There is a wonderful canteen in the basement where you get tasty lunch and very tasty coffee. We often met there with the other trainees.

I started working in the litigation department. It was surprisingly for me that a partner is sharing an office with a young solicitor, a trainee or a Referendar, because in Germany a partner would insist on his own office. It is very practical because you can ask every time and you get much more help than sitting alone in your office. Angela Lyne was sharing the office with me. She also helped me to settle in and I asked questions again and again. Furthermore the whole team of the department (partners, solicitors, trainees and secretaries) were very friendly and helpful. I got work from partners, solicitors or trainees. I felt very quickly as part of the team. In the litigation department most of the work to do was research, especially finding precedents and other fitting judgements. It was very interesting and I learned a lot about litigation. I got also time to attend hearings at court.
Every Monday there was a so called trainee lunch. A partner was giving a lecture and afterwards we ate together with the other trainees and the partner. The trainees from Manchester attended via video conference. Again, very professional. It was also very interesting to get an idea of what the trainees are thinking.

The last one and a half month I spent in the corporate department. The work to do there was different from litigation, but very exciting, too. I supported solicitors and trainees preparing contracts, prospects, meeting clients and so on.

There is even a football team at Trowers.  I took part in some matches against other law firms and met a lot of new people from Trowers.
After the three month I left a lot of friends in London!
Thank you all for the great time at Trowers!