Full kit and kaboodle 

The first Boodle turned up in 1767 and George Frederick Hatfield signed up in 1898. Established as an estate manager for the Grosvenor family – the firm's oldest and arguably most prestigious client – Boodles is particularly well known for private client and relatively niche property work. Trainees drawn to Boodles “instinctively knew they didn't want to work at a big City firm” and were attracted to the firm for its reputation in the private client field. Thriving on a mid-size, personable feel, our sources were cool, confident and refreshingly honest. Funnily enough for this property-heavy firm, a number of interviewees confirmed that “before starting we weren’t actually that keen to do property. People's experience in law school put them off, but once people get here and find out what the work actually involves, they really enjoy it.”

Based on New Bond Street – “shopping heaven” – since 2004, the firm's flagship office in London is supported by a smaller one in Oxford, which is specifically devoted to private client matters. Trainees are recruited to London, but have the option of taking a seat in Oxfordshire.

M' Lord Property 

In the Boodle HQ, there are officially 11 seat choices – four in the prominent property department, with another two among the private client teams, one in construction, another in litigation, a further two in corporate/employment and finally “a notional seat in family.” Trainees say notional because “there haven’t actually been any trainees in the family department this year. The department took on two NQs who are fulfilling roles trainees could take on.” Although not out-and-out grumblings, interviewees spoke with some dismay: “Lots of people wanted to do a family seat and none of us got to experience it. The firm still advertises the department as a viable option.” Boodles assures us that the family seat is still thriving but its small size means it recruits only when it needs to.

There are no compulsory seats but sources “couldn't recall anyone that hadn't done at least one property seat, and sometimes two, with most also completing six months in litigation.” The construction seat can also fulfil the SRA's contentious requirement. Seat allocation, however, “is a bit of a mystery.” Interviewees explained (to the best of their ability) that they submit preferences shortly before the start of each seat and partners then figure out placements, “but we're not sure on what basis. Second-years get preference to a certain extent.” The key appears to be that “if you want to do something, you have to make sure you make that known.” The more contented trainees told us: “You have to be proactive, and make it clear that whatever you're asking for is a real preference.” At a firm of this size, it’s hard to please all trainees at once and the bottom line is that the firm listens but ultimately trainees will be placed according to business need.

Receiving consistent recognition in the Chambers UK rankings, the real estate department continues to be a genuine force in London, defying the market in the 2009/10 financial year with 12% growth. The team’s particular talents lie in property finance and secured lending, property taxes, construction, enfranchisement and environmental law. However, the department is more informally split into two groups: your standard commercial practice and an estates practice. The latter sees to Boodle's long-standing and prestigious clients such as the Grosvenor and Bedford estates. With the property of the Duke of Westminster (London’s biggest landlord, with £3.2bn worth of assets to his name) at stake, it’s no wonder such clients take up a good proportion of trainee time.

“You are given your own files from the minute you walk through the door. You really do get thrown in and you have to just get on and do the work.” All interviewees reported that the teams are friendly and the quality of work is very good. Commercial clients are “mostly mid-size” companies and big company landlords. In 2011, the firm advised Marriott Hotels on all aspects of their operations in the UK, including the acquisition of the Berners Hotel. Trainees busy themselves with “a lot of lease and licensing work” alongside their own landlord/tenant files. They also reported “lots of client contact.”

Boodle's other powerhouse, the private client team, is continuously highly ranked by Chambers UK. “In this seat you get a good mix of work. Trainees draft applications, run charge orders, draft trust documents, prepare hearing bundles and even have a go at drafting wills. You attend conferences with counsel and are involved with a couple of clients on a day to day basis.” The seat also gives trainees the opportunity to work with the contentious trusts and tax teams. Beyond the Grosvenor, Bedford and Folkestone estates, clients usually are high net-worth individuals, from British aristocrats to overseas magnates. “There is a real drive towards bringing in more new-money clients,” we were told. Trainees in this seat also have the opportunity to sit in the Oxford office or “end up doing a lot of work for the Oxford partners.”

The litigation team is an “almost distinct entity with the firm, as it is quite small. There is, however, a tremendous amount of overlap with real estate litigation.” The team also has a strong line in art and culture disputes, recently representing two private art collectors in a negligence claim against Christie's concerning advice given to them about a painting now thought to be by Titian. The Royal College of Music also turned to Boodles in a dispute over a number of valuable manuscripts.

You’re Boodiful, it’s true 

Boodle Hatfield is “traditional in that it's been around for a long time, but it isn't old-fashioned. That reputation is more to do with certain long-standing clients we have rather than the people working here.” Although the firm's illustrious history is admired by its lawyers and “there is a conscious effort to keep what’s good about tradition – Boodles is moving with the times. Think less 'wellies and brogues' and more Jimmy Choos!” Don't take this to mean that people here aren't “friendly and down to earth.” Every interviewee reported a “pleasant working environment” where trainees are “diligent and committed, but also joke around.” As a reflection of the firm's ethos, in Boodle Hatfield's London office, traditional busts of founding partners are surrounded by contemporary creations – “a perfect example of a modern firm rooted in history.”

Although trainees felt they could approach their supervisors, “you clearly know who the partners are and there are definitely some partners you couldn't talk to.” Trainees rely more on the “particularly good relationships between themselves and associates,” while reassuring us that “on social occasions, the partners get really involved and are always at events.” Speaking of which, departments at Boodle Hatfield hold their own regular drinks. “We recently had a karaoke competition between two teams.” There is “a music quiz once a year, and every last Friday of the month the firm puts on drinks in the building for all its employees. It's great because that's the same day as our dress-down Friday. You pay £2 for the privilege and everything goes to a charity” voted on by all employees. Beyond the firm's formal Christmas and summer parties (the firm hires out a pretty swish venue in Mayfair), trainees always have their own holiday parties.

There are football, netball, softball and cricket teams, with annual cricket and softball matches against firm clients, and “people really do get involved.” A table tennis tournament against clients, which coincides with Wimbledon, is also always a winner. The hours are “certainly better than the magic circle” but not quite 9am to 6pm. Leaving time is “more like 7 or 8pm,” with weekend work being “really quite rare.” As for many firms, the recession wasn’t so easy for Boodle and morale did take a dip, but with a good retention rate – five out of six qualifying trainees were kept on in 2011 – general happiness prevails.

And finally... 

When it comes to the interview, “have an opinion. There are no horrible questions, no tricks, but make sure you know the firm and why you’re applying.”