Express Solicitors

Revenues aren’t the only thing growing over at Express Solicitors, a steady rise in headcount has forced the firm to upsize into a new £4.4 million office space in Wythenshawe, Manchester, which can accommodate 1,000 staff, allowing it to double in size. The new abode is said to be “very modern in comparison to the old office” even if there are still some complaints about the parking spaces and amenities on offer. “Could be better with a canteen and a coffee machine that is not just for partners” said one disgruntled junior. There is a ‘town hall’ space which is used for eating, and comes equipped with pool, foosball and ping pong tables, though this is currently being used more as a storage space according to insiders. Still, we think the new office, which comes equipped with an onsite gym, showers, roof garden and multi-faith room, might warrant a bit higher praise than “good”.

Luckily, the consensus on Express’s training is that it is excellent, replete with “hands on supervision” and “assistance whenever you need it”. The firm recently picked up the Princess Royal Training Award in recognition of the “outstanding” five-week training programme they offer to all incoming law graduates, becoming first law firm to gain this royal seal of approval. One newbie told us, “The training received from the training team is of a really high level. Everything is explained fully and recorded on Teams to be referred to on the LMS which is really helpful. Quality feedback is given on my day-to-day tasks as a trainee which helps me improve my professional skills.”

However, there were some grumbles about the genericness of parts of the formal training which “doesn’t really help when applying to specific and unique tasks”, whilst some wished there was more training on “technical areas of law”. Most of the learning is done online but external providers are said to pay visits once and a while, with some “highly experienced barristers” providing valuable feedback.

The work itself is said to be “challenging but rewarding” with some of the low claims cases being more monotonous grunt labour. “Sometimes the work can be repetitive as that is just the nature of the industry, on the whole though we are given access to good quality cases and trusted to progress those to settlement” summarised one recruit. You can also expect good progression throughout your TC. As one trainee told us, “since becoming a trainee I have been given the opportunity to work on more higher value cases, this has also coincided with my issued cases progressing to a level I’ve not worked on previously meaning I have been completing and learning new parts of the area of law on a regular basis.”

Express rookies don’t have too much of a toil, with most getting away around 17:30. Insiders don’t feel there are expectations for them to stay longer than necessary, though PI work can understandably be stressful. That said, Express recruits are not strangers to some late nights: “I will stay late sometimes, especially if working from home, and will log-on on the occasional Saturday. However, I would never avoid plans in my personal life to work a weekend — this would only be if I have nothing else on. I am content with the amount I work and don’t believe it ‘takes over’ or prohibits me from enjoying my personal life.”

Another recruit reports that their working balance has improved since the firm introduced their three days in the office, two days working from home policy. The firm will also provide any equipment like extra screens, monitors upon request for rookies making the most of flexible working. The tech offering at home and in the office is said to be “very advanced” and “constantly being adapted and improved by the IT department”. The firm’s case management system Proclaim receives plaudits all around.

As too do your fellow trainees. “The peers at express are what makes the firm so enjoyable to work for — built lifelong friendships and we are all very supportive of one another including during exams, during stressful work days etc.” gushed one new recruit. “I could not ask any more of my peers. There is not one person off-limits to provide help, guidance, advice etc. I feel fully supported personally and professionally,” praised another.

On the whole, the same is true of the partners, though some argue it’s more “hit and miss”. The firm’s open-door policy helps trainees get comfortable with superiors who seem happy to lend an ear to newbies’ questions and concerns: “No amount of questions is too many and all my superiors are more than open to furthering my personal and professional development.”

The social scene consists of annual Christmas and summer parties, with a departmental social budget allowing for a few more organised events to take place year round. “Great socials, throughout the year, able to attend and get to know people” was the short-but-sweet review from one current rookie.

Perks include birthday leave; free tea, coffee and fresh fruit; summer and Christmas parties; a social budget and Easter eggs as well as commission on billing targets. The frequent firm sporting activities, however, are the top perk for many. “The firm also goes above and beyond to hire out a football pitch for us to play on once a week, this is a great opportunity to meet new people and socialise. When I first joined the firm, it was over lockdown so began to feel like I hadn’t really met any of my new colleagues and felt a little isolated, this quickly changed when I started playing football and got to meet some new faces who were working from home at the time, the lads I met through football are now some of my closest friends, which may not have been the case if my firm didn’t arrange for this,” recounts one footie-loving recruit. Netball is also said to be popular with the firm’s staff and you get a day-off on your birthday!