Marriott Harrison - True Picture

Marriott Harrison training contract review 2025

The Firm

If you’ve ruled out a legal career in the capital because global megafirms just aren’t your thing, think again. London’s a bit of a melting pot, and that extends to the type of law firm you’ll find in the city too: Marriott Harrison is one such example. Despite only having a headcount of just over 60 lawyers the firm very much holds its own against larger counterparts in the venture capital and corporate spheres – so much so that our colleagues over at Chambers UK  bestow high praise upon MH’s corporate/M&A (£10-100 million) and private equity: venture capital investment practices.

“…an acceleration of learning…”

Just two to three trainees join the ranks each year, and for each, their reasons for hopping on board were much the same. “It was mainly the small trainee intake,” said one interviewee. “It means you get more interaction with partners. There’s an acceleration of learning here because of the size of the intake.” While the firm has been seeing recent growth, MH is keen to protect its petite dimensions and the benefits that come with that, as training principal David Strong tells us: “The firm has been growing a lot in the last five years, both in terms of revenue and the number of people, which is great. However, our single office helps to keep the independent close-knit culture, so every trainee feels like part of the firm from day one.”

The Seats

One of the many perks of a smaller trainee intake is the lack of internal competition come seat allocation. “It’s quite a loose and informal procedure,” sources noted. “You send your preferences and anything you really don’t want to do over to the training principal.” As with most firms, those nearer to qualification are given priority for their choices, but trainees affirmed, “You are usually guaranteed to get what you want.” Occasionally, the firm offers its trainees a chance to undertake a client secondment.

Unsurprising given MH’s focus on all things corporate, a seat in the firm’s corporate department was one of the more sought-after by the current group of trainees. Insiders described the work here as a blend of M&A, private equity, venture capital and a dash of capital markets. “Overall, it’s a very good mix,” praised a trainee. “You’re able to have a say in the work you do. I’m particularly interested in venture capital, and that was accounted for.” In terms responsibility levels, our interviewees were equally pleased. “By mid-seat, I was drafting share purchase agreements, core documents and articles,” said one. Of course, trainees also help out with their fair share of due diligence, though our sources were quick to find silver linings: “It’s an interesting way to learn about different protocols!” There’s also the opportunity for direct client contact. “You get to actually advise clients instead of just sitting and drafting all the documents,” a source awed.

“…high level of support…”

Speaking of clients, this lot advise a number of private companies, founders, entrepreneurs and private equity investors through acquisitions and disposals; recently, MH advised The Fulham Shore, a restaurant business investment company, on its acquisition by Great Sea Kitchens valued at around £100 million. Sounds like they had plenty on their plates… Through it all, interviewees were thankful for the “high level of support” and training they received. “An associate took the time to give me a really nice run down on how the due diligence should be done,” said one, while others highlighted the support from the head of the team – none other than training principal David Strong: “He invited me to join a call for training purposes, and afterwards spent an hour going through the documents with me.”

Employment is another seat on offer at MH. The department serves clients across a number of sectors, including banking, music, technology, retail, recruitment, aviation and legal services, with the likes of Sony Music and Shutterstock turning to the firm for representation. “I’ve done basically everything,” one newbie boasted, “from settlement agreements and drafting bundles for a hearing, to Employment Tribunal work, I’ve done it all!” Depending on the case, trainees with work with either individuals or companies on various employment claims. In one such example, the firm recently represented RBL Law Limited, Ian Rosenblatt and Anthony Field in relation to a whistleblowing claim brought against them in the Employment Tribunal. It goes without saying that a lot of the department’s work is highly contentious and confidential. The team also provide advisory support to the corporate department, so “a large portion of trainee work can involve due diligence,” too.

A stint in the firm’s banking department sees trainees working on a number of financial contracts. Typical trainee involvement ranges from working on financing agreements, to drafting ancillary documents and facility agreements. “Just like the rest of the seats, you’re given a good level of responsibility,” a source smiled. “They’re also very receptive! I said to them one day I was particularly interested in drafting, and a few days later I was given a specific drafting task for a deal.” There’s also a lot of cross-departmental collaboration in this seat, as trainees “work closely with the real estate and corporate teams on debt-based and debt-funded purchases.”

“It was nice to be involved in such a meaty piece of work…”

Over in the disputes department, trainees spoke about being involved in a multitude of things, from court-based disputes to prejudice discussions, mediation and arbitration. “It’s amazing how much experience I’ve gotten on the contentious routes,” an insider reflected. Here, trainees have the opportunity to assist senior associates with bundles and letter drafting, and as is the running theme at MH, there’s no shortage of independence and responsibility. “I was involved in the bulk of the disclosure process for one matter,” we heard. “It was nice to be involved in such a meaty piece of work as a trainee. They trust you more and more over time as well; it feels like the sky’s the limit!”

Trainee Life

MH’s office is “slap bang in the middle of Bank,” making it a convenient central point to facilitate networking. “We all go out for lunch every day, and will go out after work, too. I love being in the hustle and bustle,” an insider enthused. Trainees reported being in the office four to five days a week, with the option to work from home one or so days a week. “I was surprised at how accommodating the firm was,” said one interviewee. “They send you monitors and a docking station… they even give you a budget to buy a desk and chair!” Though with the occasional massage and puppy therapy on offer, it’s hard to understand why anyone wouldn’t want to be in the office.

The culture at the firm was described by trainees as “very social.” Trainee events are hosted once a month, on top of your classic Christmas and summer parties. No expense is spared it seems, with the most recent summer party being hosted at the Polo Club in Richmond. There are also trainee socials at places like The Crystal Maze, followed by a spot of karaoke. For those with a competitive streak, the firm also has a football team that hosts matches against clients and accountants, as well as a newly formed netball team. There is also a chess tournament club if that tickles your fancy.

“…there’s always this understanding that your time is precious!”

Of course, there are also hours to be clocked ahead of socialising in the evenings. On average, trainees reported a finish time of around 6pm. “Corporate was busier,” an insider noted, “But I wasn’t working until 3am!” Days in the corporate realm occasionally ended around 8pm, “but that’s only when it gets intense!” sources reassured. “Partners and managers are keen to make sure you have a work/life balance, and there’s always this understanding that your time is precious!” And for their precious hours, trainees felt well compensated. Salaries sit at £40k for first years and £42k for second years.

In terms of feedback and appraisals, trainees explained, “There is a structured appraisal process as the start, middle and end of the seat, but there’s also plenty of scope for ad hoc advice and feedback as you’re constantly interacting with your supervisor.” Formal training sessions are equally abundant. “One of the main things I’ve noticed is a drive towards training,” an insider noted. “There’s a brand new two-year training scheme coming into place to cover specific areas of the firm.” On top of that, trainees are invited to attend weekly venture capital lunch and learns, as well as department-specific training sessions covering an overview of the work they do, typical trainee tasks, and what to know ahead of a rotation in that department.

Come qualification, trainees are encouraged to let the firm know which departments they are interested in, and the firm will consider whether there is a business need for an NQ in said department. “They’re working on being more transparent and putting proper policies in place,” said one interviewee. For the meantime, the process remains rather informal due to the smaller trainee intake. In 2024, MH retained four out of five qualifiers.

How to get a Marriott Harrison training contract 

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Vacation scheme and training contract deadline: 9 February 2025 

Application process

To become a trainee at Marriott Harrison, students need to be selected to attend the firms summer vacation scheme, which takes place during June and July each year. The firm invites up to 16 students onto the scheme.

The application process for the summer vacation scheme has two stages. The first stage is an online application that students must submit to be considered. Applications are then blindly reviewed by the firm's core recruitment group. If shortlisted, the second and final stage is to attend an in-person assessment centre. Following on from the assessment centre, students will be contacted with either a formal invite to join the scheme or given feedback as to why they were not successful.

The best candidates the firm sees are those who are well-rounded, curious and who are demonstrate a genuine motivation for joining the firm. Similarly, Marriott Harrison expects that students are assessing the firm on whether it has the type of work, culture and development that the student is looking for out of their career. The training contract is an investment and stepping stone to what will hopefully be a long and fulfilled career with the firm. The investment in you begins on day one.

The summer vacation scheme

During the vacation scheme, students are empowered to seek out work from the departments they are most interested in getting exposure to. Students will be given real-life client work and will also have structured tasks and activities to complete throughout the week. The week is very much designed to replicate what a training contract would be like at Marriott Harrison.

Outside of the structured activities, the firm deliberately leaves time for you to get to know the team, ask questions and discover our culture first-hand. Students who impress during the scheme will be invited to a final stage interview for a training contract. All candidates will be given feedback regardless of whether they are offered a training contract or not.

The firm recruits one year in advance, so is looking for candidates who would be available to commence a training contract in September 2026 and who will have completed their LPC or SQE in full before joining.