People people 

In terms of the training contract itself, Higgs offers something quite innovative. The conventional four six-month seat arrangement has been replaced with a system whereby trainees experience a quick turnover of four four-month seats, followed by a substantial eight-month seat in their preferred practice area. Trainees were generally positive about the system, saying that although “four months goes very quickly, it’s something a bit different and you probably get more exposure and experience if anything.” The extended seat at the back end of the training contract can be viewed as “quite daunting” – it’s relatively early to be making the big decision of where you want to qualify – but the rewards of doing so soon become apparent. “The super-seat provides a great springboard into qualification and ultimately you have an edge over other qualified solicitors,” highlighted one trainee, who felt thoroughly prepared for life after qualification.

Trainees receive a finalised schedule of their seats when they join the firm in September, having expressed six preferences beforehand. This does not mean that the schedule is set in stone. “At any time we can ask HR if we change our mind,” confirmed one source. “They are very accommodating.”

“There is a bit of everything at Higgs” but it has traditionally been strongest in non-commercial areas of practice. Many trainees spend a seat in the private client department, which continues to bring in a quarter of the firm’s revenue. They can expect to come into contact with everyone from wealthy businessmen to the “little old lady off the street: you meet people from all walks of life.” Throughout their seat trainees will adjust wills and enduring powers of attorney, assist heirs in estate management and in some cases even help to orchestrate the sale of the deceased’s property. To work in private client soft skills are essential. “You have to be able to communicate on a personal level and with all sorts of people,” said one source. “You could be dealing with someone who is losing mental capacity and it can be very difficult. These are emotional situations: I enjoy it, because I’m a people person.”

The skills learnt in private client are transferable to other seats at Higgs, especially personal injury and family, as both involve a large amount of client contact. Life in the personal injury department requires an even greater need for sensitivity and empathy with the client. “I’ve had some pretty nasty cases,” said one trainee, recalling a particularly unpleasant burns incident that demonstrated the importance of possessing “a bit of a strong stomach.” Trainees in the family department raved about the opportunities to attend lots of meetings and to run small cases – with a comforting degree of assistance from the overseeing partner.

Going corporate 

It would be a disservice to Higgs to suggest that it does not deal with the commercial or corporate side of the law: it does. A new corporate partner arrived from Hammonds in January 2011, and the firm cited this as “a clear sign of [our] ambitions for the continued growth of Higgs as a corporate player.” Trainees commented on the wonderfully varied nature of the work in corporate and commercial seats, discussing their involvement in transactional and company compliance work, as well as more niche areas such as reorganisation. “I like the strategic planning that is involved in reorganisation,” said one. “I often meet with directors and shareholders to talk about their needs. We come up with a plan and tackle each obstacle: it’s challenging but I love it.” Several major banks instruct the firm, along with a freight company, care groups and various manufacturers.

The commercial property department acts for NatWest among other clients, and trainees here can expect a variety of lease work, purchases, surveys, as well as plenty of interaction with the Land Registry. It’s a rewarding and interesting seat, with the chance for lots of hands-on research: a trainee was encouraged to attend an auction in order to get to grips with certain transactional processes, which was “fantastic – it allowed me to see these things in action and not just be glued to a textbook.”

Other seats include clinical negligence, employment, dispute resolution and residential property. All trainees share an office with a supervisor, who is often a partner, “heightening the exposure to work.”

Higgs is “hot on appraisals” and once a month trainees meet with their departmental supervisor for an informal appraisal, while a more formal one with the head of department and the HR manager comes at the end of each seat. Monthly departmental meetings and an intranet service called ‘Oracle’ keeps trainees informed of firm initiatives.

From warren to waterfront 

The February 2010 relocation to a brand new office in Brierley Hill has had a huge impact on the atmosphere at Higgs. Moving from the high street into a £1.5m waterfront complex is a physical manifestation of “the culture change” that has taken place at the firm. Gone is the old “rabbit warren” and in its place are immaculate glass partitions, circular seating arrangements and facilities that are “second to none.” “We have an open-door policy at Higgs,” said sources. “It can’t not be – everything is made of glass!”

Sources who had spent their first year in the old location also pointed out that the move has brought with it new social possibilities: “There never used to be much happening on the high street, but on the waterfront there are lots of nice bars and lunch places.” ‘Friday night drinks’ down by the waterfront is an established tradition now. “You can end up with 15 to 20 people, and it’s everyone from partners to secretaries.” Trainees are encouraged to network as much as possible, and are “meeting people all the time, building contacts and friends.” All are members of the Birmingham Trainee Solicitors Society (BTSS).

A major part of life at Higgs is charity fund-raising. It’s the job of trainees to run the charity committee and they are given the responsibility of arranging events, which have included bingo nights, quizzes and sponsored runs. A recent race on exercise bikes between partners and staff had everyone in the office “screaming and shouting” in a dose of “healthy competition.”

And finally... 

This is a thoroughly pleasant firm with a growing reputation in the West Midlands and beyond. Unfortunately, none of the four 2011 qualifiers were kept on.