Meet the recruiter

Name:

Dominic Offord

What is your job title?

Partner and head of the firm's business recovery team

What does your job involve?   

Business recovery work requires you to be able to think on your feet and deal effectively with rapidly changing circumstances. I may be contacted in the morning to advise a company who is facing creditor pressure and running out of cash. I will then formulate a strategy with the directors and an insolvency practitioner that may mean rushing off to court later that day to gain the company some protection whilst the strategy is implemented. During the process it's key to remain calm whilst dealing with various stakeholders, all with their own agendas and pressures. The unpredictability of the work is exciting and it's immensely rewarding when you have helped save a business and the jobs of the people who work for it.

Who is in your team? 

There is a core team of four individuals, but don't think you're safe if you work in other teams or departments! We often need specialist advice on, for example, employment or pension issues that arise when a company is facing financial difficulties.

How long have you worked at Browne Jacobson? 

I started at Browne Jacobson back in the last century (1992) we didn't even have computers on our desks back then, let alone email. Receiving a fax was a very exciting event!

What do you look for in a trainee?

Strong academics are a given. Lots of enthusiasm, a willingness to take on responsibility and the ability to understand a client's business objectives.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to Browne Jacobson?

Work hard, get as much relevant experience as possible and also have some interests outside the law that will help set you apart from the other applicants.

Top Tips - applying for training contracts:

• Decide what sort of law firm you want to apply to eg: regional, London based, magic circle, commercial, high street. If you are interested in putting something back into the community, don't rule out large commercial firms - have a look into their pro-bono schemes before you make your decision.

• Research firms and apply for open days/work experience - find out if they are the type of place you want to work and employ people you could see yourself working with. We spend a lot of our time at work and it's easier with supportive colleagues in an open environment.

• Law firms like to see that you have done some research on the firm eg: size, clients. Show this in your application.

• Tell us about you. We want to be able to see an all-rounded candidate so show examples of this in your application.

• Remember to mention relevant extra-curricular activities and think about examples when you have led a team in challenging circumstances and tell us about it.

• Legal work experience will always benefit your application, it shows that you have already had a taste of working in a legal environment and still want to come back! Use the experience to question whether you could see yourself working in the type of law firm you are applying to.

• When making applications always check your spelling and grammar - triple check your application to give yourself the best possible start.

• And finally good luck!

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