Focused energy, deep experience.

Transcription

1 Trainee Solicitors.

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3 Focused energy, deep experience. Around the world, our lawyers are hard at work earning Vinson & Elkins reputation as the World s Leading Energy Law Firm by Euromoney (1995-present)*. More than 400 of our lawyers regularly advise clients on energy-related matters and handle some of the most significant, and award-winning engagements in the energy industry. In the past year, our lawyers handled more than 1,600 energy and energy infrastructure matters collectively involving more than circa 111 billion for energy majors, national oil companies, investors, clean energy start-ups, utilities, independents, and lenders. Along with our inherent understanding of the energy sector, our London office also has extensive experience across multiple industry sectors, including construction, real estate finance and telecoms infrastructure. In each of these sectors, our work includes M&A, capital markets, joint ventures, project development, finance, tax, dispute resolution and regulatory proceedings. Our London trainee solicitor programme offers you a chance to be part of the Vinson & Elkins team. *Based upon the number of lawyers named in the Guide to the World s Leading Energy Lawyers. 1

4 Global. For almost a century, Vinson & Elkins, a leading U.S.-headquartered global law firm with more than 675 lawyers located in cities across the globe, has provided innovative business solutions for our clients whose needs are as diverse as the entities they represent. In today s challenging environment of global markets, volatile economies, and complex human and environmental issues, our firm s time-tested role as trusted adviser has become even more critical. The depth and breadth of Vinson & Elkins lawyers experience, combined with the responsiveness and efficiencies of the firm s global reach, enables Vinson & Elkins to serve clients from start-up, to the negotiating table and boardroom, before legislative and regulatory bodies, in the courtroom, and beyond. Over the years, Vinson & Elkins has amassed a wealth of experience working on projects for clients in almost every country on the map. We are accustomed to working not only in well-defined markets, but also in less familiar and more challenging environments, under developing local regimes or those with poor communications and infrastructure. We know how to adapt to local customs, cultures and laws, enabling us to handle matters quickly and effectively. We work in tandem with our clients, travelling wherever and whenever we are needed. This knowledge enables us to offer varied solutions for our clients engaged in leading-edge projects around the world. Overview. Over four decades ago, Vinson & Elkins became one of the first U.S. law firms to establish a practice in London. Since then, we have built a dynamic office, undertaking work that has gained the respect of clients and competitors around the world. Vinson & Elkins clients are predominantly in the energy, finance and infrastructure sectors, with the London office focusing on: Construction (contentious and non-contentious) Energy, Transactions and Projects Finance Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Tax Telecoms Infrastructure International Dispute Resolution Relationships. Community and Pro Bono The Community and Pro Bono Vinson & Elkins is committed to encouraging lawyers and other firm personnel to be involved volunteers in their communities. Through their personal efforts, firm employees strengthen the ties that bind our local and national communities and promote the development of individuals who make up those communities. Our lawyers are guided by the principle that pro bono clients like all of our clients should be fully and effectively represented. As a result, we devote significant time and financial resources to the legal needs of persons who cannot afford to pay for representation, as well as to local civic projects. Vinson & Elkins international pro bono initiatives provide lawyers with an opportunity to connect with the human side of the practice of law. From senior partners to trainees, lawyers apply their skills to personal passions and make lasting impacts in the communities in which they live and work. 2

5 Opportunity. International Non-rotational Part of the Team From Day One Vinson & Elkins London office offers approximately four training contracts per year. We operate a non-rotational training system and trainees work across various practice areas throughout their two years. This means that while our trainees share offices with more senior lawyers and physically change where they sit every six months, they are available to receive work from all of our departments (and all of our offices) at the same time. As a consequence, our trainees get a constantly varied spread of work, as well as having the opportunity to see a project or case through, from the moment it comes through the door to the time it is finally resolved. While based in London, our trainees can expect to undertake secondments in our overseas offices, in the Middle East and Asia, as well as in our head office in Houston, Texas. Secondments give trainees the chance to experience different legal cultures and to have increased client contact. Even those trainees who do not go on secondment should expect to enjoy international travel during the course of their two years. While you are with Vinson & Elkins, you can expect to work with lawyers from across the firm s various offices on a daily basis. Given our U.S. heritage, we aim to treat our trainees as simply the most junior members of client and deal teams, giving them direct experience of international quality work while providing a safe environment in which to learn. Our training programme has been running since 2003 and has earned Vinson & Elkins the Best Trainer U.S. Firm in the City award in 2010 and the Best Trainer Medium City Firm award in 2006, both from LawCareers.Net. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, LawCareers.Net shortlisted the scheme for the Best Trainer U.S. Firm in the City award. In 2012 and 2013, the firm was further shortlisted for the Best Recruiter U.S. Firm in the City award. We are proud to continue to win such recognition particularly where it is based on independent interviews with people who are going through or have been through our training programme. When we are looking at training contract applications, we give preference to those students who have previously completed a summer vacation placement with us. Accordingly, undergoing a vacation placement with us is strongly recommended. Approximately 20 one-week summer vacation placements in our London office are available per year, which are also run on a non-rotational basis to give you a real-world experience of life as a trainee here. Our vacation placements are designed to give you a real sense of what you would encounter as a firstsix month trainee, and have a deliberate emphasis on letting you interview us as much as letting us get to know you. Alex Msimang Managing Partner London Office We are looking to recruit ambitious individuals with exceptional academic results (2:1 degree minimum and at least AAB at A-Level or equivalent), sound commercial awareness and rounded personalities. The ability to think laterally and creatively is essential, as is a need for common sense and a willingness to take the initiative. Foreign language skills are an asset, but by no means a requirement. Additionally, diversity and inclusion are two of the core values which guide all that we do at Vinson & Elkins. Since our success ultimately depends on developing exceptional legal talent, Vinson & Elkins is committed to attracting and retaining the finest lawyers from all backgrounds and perspectives. In terms of compensation, currently, the firm funds both the LPC and GDL. A maintenance grant of up to 7,200 will also be provided for the LPC year. Trainees start at a salary of 40,000, which increases to 42,000 for the second year. Benefits include private health insurance, firm pension, season ticket loan, travel insurance and dental cover. 3

6 Insights. Don t just take our word for it though Zaina Al-Nabulsi Summer Scheme Student 2012, Trainee from My vacation placement at Vinson & Elkins was a true reflection of what life as a trainee will be like. My highlight was most definitely doing actual trainee work and sitting in on conference calls and meetings, where my contribution was taken on board and appreciated. Another highlight was researching an energy-related legal problem, which was very challenging and enjoyable. On the social side, I was struck by how friendly everyone was; the receptionist put me at ease as soon as I arrived, associates and partners were always checking if I had enough to do, and the trainees made me feel like a member of their team. I was invited to lunches and tennis games, which were not constructed for the purpose of the vacation scheme, but part of the firm s regular social activities. I felt continuously challenged and supported throughout the week and cannot wait to re-join the team. The flexibility of the training contract allows you to take on as much responsibility as you are ready for and guarantees high levels of client contact as well as international exposure. The free-form nature of the training is not for everyone, but if you are self-motivated and enjoy a challenge, you will find a supportive environment here in which you will thrive. Mark Beeley, Training Principal, London Office Emily Caldwell Trainee The main attraction of Vinson & Elkins, for me, is that you have the quality of work of a major international law firm while at the same time enjoying the benefits of a medium-sized office in London. This means that as a trainee you not only work on fascinating transactions and disputes, but you often find yourself carrying out tasks that you wouldn t have a chance to do in larger firms, which provides incredible hands-on training. Vinson & Elkins offers a training contract that is non-rotational in nature. Although you do physically move departments, so you receive full and varied training, you are strongly encouraged to source work from partners and associates of your choosing in the office. Therefore, if you hear of a matter that is of interest, you can ask to help out even if you are not in the relevant practice group. Likewise, you don t have to abandon a case or deal just because you change seat, which for me has been a massive plus as it has enabled me to get more deeply involved in some very interesting disputes. There are currently two main foreign seats for trainees in Hong Kong and Dubai, although Houston, Tokyo, Beijing and Abu Dhabi are also possibilities. As a result of the fairly small intake of trainees each year, it is pretty much unheard of for a trainee to be denied six months abroad, though going away is of course optional. 4

7 Gareth Jones Trainee , Associate in Litigation Team, 2011 to Date A training contract at Vinson & Elkins could be described as many things throughout the course of its two years, dull is not one. As soon as I arrived, I was thrown into preparation for an arbitral hearing in Stockholm, which I was ultimately able to attend, between a state-owned oil company and an independent energy and power company. Since then, I ve been to Dubai, India, Tunisia and Holland on firm business. I also spent six months on secondment at the firm s Dubai office. If you want to travel, the opportunities are certainly there. Work as a trainee is also diverse. Work is received from all departments throughout the training contract, so you always find yourself doing something different and, most likely, new. If you re willing to push yourself, you are given a level of responsibility which, in my experience, is beyond compare in city firms. As a result, you qualify as a more confident lawyer, better equipped to deal with the challenges thrown at newly qualified solicitors. Relentless photocopying is, at least at Vinson & Elkins, a myth. I ve been to Dubai, India, Tunisia and Holland on firm business. I also spent six months on secondment at the firm s Dubai office. Responsibility does not, however, come unsupervised. Support and advice is never more than a phone call away and a friendly face is never hard to find. The benefit of the small, collegiate feel of the office is that even partners doors are, almost, always open. Unlike most big city firms, you really can get as much out of a training contract at Vinson & Elkins as you put in. Key Dates. If you would like to apply for a summer vacation place or a training contract, please note the following important dates: Vacation placement application window: 1 November 2013 to 28 February 2014 Training contract application window: 1 November 2013 to 31 July 2014 Vacation placements: June 2014 to August 2014 (one week per placement) You begin your training contract: September 2016 Applications should be made by way of our online application form, available from our website at: In applying for vacation placements, please be aware that we give preference to those candidates who will be ready to start a training contract two years after that placement. 5

8 Experience. Vinson & Elkins London office has been involved in some of the biggest and most exciting work of the last few years, including representing: Uz-Kor Gas Chemical LLC with the development and financing of the approximately circa 2.6 billion Surgil integrated gas and petrochemicals project in Uzbekistan. This is the largest emerging markets project financing in 2012 and the largest petrochemical financing of The deal was named Petrochemicals Deal of the Year 2012 by Project Finance International / Thomson / Reuters Statoil on the circa 1.97 billion sale of companies holding a 40 percent interest in the Peregrino oilfield in Brazil to Sinochem of China The Panama Canal Authority in relation to construction and engineering aspects of the circa 3.3 billion Panama Canal Expansion Program A large U.S. private equity company bringing claims against the Republic of Ecuador under its bilateral investment treaty with the United States, arising out of the indirect expropriation of power generation Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation in connection with its circa 6.4 billion acquisition of Addax Petroleum Corporation, a Canadian company publicly traded on the Toronto and London Stock Exchanges, with assets in West Africa and the Middle East An African telecom infrastructure company on the acquisition and leaseback of telecom towers in Nigeria; and the acquisition and leaseback of telecom towers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana and Tanzania, together with related equity investment and build-to-suit arrangements The Republic of Iraq Ministry of Oil in connection with the circa 10.8 billion Basrah Gas Project to capture the large volume of natural gas currently being flared in oil fields in Iraq s southern region and process it for both domestic power generation and LNG export; the project involves a 25-year development joint venture agreement with Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Mitsubishi Helios Natural Resources Ltd on the acquisition of a 29.4 percent shareholding in Eland Oil & Gas plc, an AIM listed oil and gas company with an interest in an onshore oil field located in the Niger Delta, Nigeria Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. 6

9 Impact. The World s Leading Energy Law Firm Euromoney (1995-present)* The London office of this Texan energy giant more than upholds the firm s global reputation Chambers UK 2010 UK Construction law firm of the year ACQ Global Awards 2012 #1 Corporate Finance Legal Adviser 2012 Half Year Results Infrastructure Journal 2012 Boasting one of the largest energy practice groups in the world Legal Business 2012 Best Infrastructure, Energy and Project Finance Law Firm International Legal Alliance Summit 2012 The London project finance department at this U.S. firm has a strong and varied practice that spans a range of sectors, most notably in relation to traditional and renewable energies Chambers UK 2012 The firm s battalion of seasoned energy lawyers oversees arguably the largest oil and gas practice in the world Law A long time leader in the energy field Law The good thing about V&E is that they have very capable, experienced people Chambers UK 2013 Exceeds service received from most Magic Circle or Major Wall Street firms Legal 500 UK 2009 Its prowess in this field [construction] is demonstrated by the clients it represents Chambers UK 2013 Vinson & Elkins is one of the very few whose position at the top remains assured Latin Lawyer Excellent reputation for energy and commodities work, particularly in emerging markets Legal 500 UK 2012 Very fine oil and gas practice Chambers UK 2013 *Based upon the number of lawyers named in the Guide to the World s Leading Energy Lawyers. 7

10 questions? If you have any questions relating to the summer scheme or our training contracts please do not hesitate to contact any member of our London trainee recruitment team, which is made up of solicitors who were in your shoes in the past and know how important finding the right training contract is for you. Mark Beeley Training Principal Partner International Dispute Resolution Natalie Perkin Associate Mergers & Acquisitions Stuart Fowkes Associate (and former V&E trainee) Finance Vinson & Elkins RLLP CityPoint, 33rd Floor One Ropemaker Street London, EC2Y 9UE Opportunity. 8

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