The social side

From the moment you accept your place at the firm you will be invited to a number of social events.

If you are a trainee, this will be by the trainee solicitor social committee, QUACC (the Quasi Articled Clerk Committee). One person from each intake is voted onto the committee to help plan events throughout your LPC and training contract. Some of the events that this group has previously organised include a summer party roller disco, a Christmas party on Brick Lane and a trip to Goodwood races.

You will have plenty of opportunities to get to know colleagues both in your team and around the firm. There are numerous firm wide events throughout the year such as drinks at our local pub and a Christmas party. If you want to join one of the sport groups (e.g. hockey, netball or sailing), the charity committee or the theatre group or just want to take part in the ad-hoc charity events (such as decorating a hospital at Christmas or a charity bake-off), there are many great ways to get to know others across Macfarlanes.

For future trainees, as well as the many social events, you will be invited to departmental presentations at the office tailored specifically for the Macfarlanes LPC students. Not only does this give you a great insight into the mechanics of each group, but it also allows you to get to know your intake so that when you join the firm, in either September or March, you will already have some great friends. And of course, we always manage to squeeze in a social after each of the departmental presentations.

Around us

Chancery Lane itself has long been the heart of legal London, the preferred address for the community of law firms, barristers’ chambers and associated services – wigmakers, tailors and robe makers, pubs and coffee shops. But within a stone's throw of the office are some of the best parks / gardens, bars and shopping locations in London.

• Lincoln’s Inn Fields is the largest square in London. There have been gardens here since at least the 12th century. It’s a five minute walk from the office and is a great place to get away from the office and enjoy your lunch. It also features a court for tennis and netball that our teams use during summer.
• New Street Square is just around the corner from our offices. In addition to the bars and restaurants, it is the venue for a number of outdoor events during the year – last summer for example, it ran the “Great British Summer” event with the tennis up on big screens and a great range of street food stalls.
• Leather Lane hosts a market dedicated to street food. It’s a one-stop shop for lunches on the go and is particularly great in summer when the sun is shining.
• Smithfields is a ten minute walk from the office and home to numerous restaurants and bars such as Burger & Lobster, Foxlow, Smiths of Smithfields and Polpo.
• Covent Garden offers a wide range of shopping, theatre, bars and restaurants.