We do not have chargeable hours targets. This is almost unique amongst top City firms and breeds a collaborative culture which encourages people to help (and accept help from) others without the pressure of looming targets. The room sharing model provides a supportive, close-knit and non-hierarchical environment where we look out for each other and partners, associates and trainees bond over the latest series of Celebs Go Dating or the hottest new West End show.

Not to mention the sheer number of non-work activities in which everyone is welcome to get involved. These range from the plethora of CSR activities to sports teams, music lessons, language classes, team days out, the firm choir, our various diversity and inclusion initiatives, organised and impromptu firm and department-wide drinks and even the inter-departmental cook-off run by our amazing Kitchen team (the HR, Graduate Recruitment and Central Management team will be desperate to defend its title in 2020).

At the heart of our culture are our people. When we recruit we look for partners of the future and the combination of our high trainee retention rates, low associate churn (amongst the lowest in the City) and the fact that nearly half the partners trained at the firm suggests that we are getting something right. We also have the youngest partnership in the top 100 UK firms, which is reflected in our progressive approach to business and in how we train, develop and support our people.

No major business or operational decisions are taken here without the same question being asked: will this impact on our culture? It is something that, as a firm, we cherish.