Trainee Solicitors 2014
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 other 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, construction, finance, tax, dispute resolution and regulatory proceedings. Our London trainee solicitor programme offers you a chance to be part of Vinson & Elkins team. *Based upon the number of lawyers named in the Guide to the World s Leading Energy Lawyers. 1
Global. For almost a century, Vinson & Elkins, a leading U.S.-headquartered global law firm with approximately 700 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
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. Alex Msimang Managing Partner London Office 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, 2013 and 2014 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 first-six month trainee, and have a deliberate emphasis on letting you interview us as much as letting us get to know you. 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
Insights. Don t just take our word for it though Zaina Al-Nabulsi Vacation Placement Student 2012, Trainee 2014-2016 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 James Collins Vacation Placement Student 2011, Trainee 2013-2015 After completing a vacation placement at Vinson & Elkins and accepting a training contract starting in September 2013, I was intrigued to see if the firm remained the unique training environment I had experienced on my placement. The answer to this was a resounding yes. The balance of the medium size of the London office alongside the firm s significant international reach allows trainees to work on exciting and often global projects with high levels of responsibility afforded from the outset. Another benefit of the collegial nature of the London office is the everyday interaction with associates and partners alike as a result of the true open door policy. Not only is this useful as a means of support and advice, but working on a day-to-day basis with lawyers of such varying levels of experience creates a challenging yet rewarding training opportunity. Throughout your training contract at Vinson & Elkins, you are actively encouraged to seek work outside the specific department you are sat in every six months. This allows trainees to experience a diverse spectrum of work and follow long-term projects from start to finish, a rewarding experience not available at most other large firms. It is also not all work and no play. The firm has an active social side managed by the London Social Committee. Activities include weekly football matches, monthly office-wide social evenings and events such as the Texas Independence Day Celebrations (not to mention the Christmas party)! 4
Emilie Hawker Trainee 2011-2013, Associate in Finance Team 2013 to Date A training contract at Vinson & Elkins will certainly be diverse, challenging and exciting. I started my two-year training contract sitting with a disputes partner and, on day one, I was thrown into a case we had recently been instructed on and which I continued to work on until my last seat. The non-rotational seat system gave me the opportunity to work on all aspects of this case from pleadings to the arbitration, which provided a much rounder training than the non-rotational system and a better opportunity to experience the aspects of work you will do as an associate in each department. This training system also means trainees will be working on a number of matters across many departments at any one time. This can be challenging, particularly when you need to switch between matters because a lawyer walks into your room and asks about one deal when you are thinking about another. However, it does ensure that even on the few days you have some less glamorous trainee tasks you can be sure to also have many more interesting tasks on your to-do list. One of the main reasons I came to Vinson & Elkins was the ability to work on large international transactions while being in a smaller and friendlier office in London. There is certainly a Texan feel to the London office and you might occasionally see some cowboy boots or hear a Texan y all. During my training contract, as well as working with those in the London office, I also had the opportunity to work with associates on matters originating from the Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Houston offices, many of whom were originally London trainees. International opportunities are definitely available for trainees at Vinson & Elkins, and I have been lucky enough to travel to Houston, Dublin, Luxembourg, Frankfurt and Paris on transactions, in some cases with less than a few hours notice. I also did one of my seats as a trainee sitting in the Hong Kong office. It is very rare to work on a deal with just one jurisdiction involved; almost all our work is international which makes things more exciting and gives trainees a view of larger scale more challenging transactions. I have now qualified into the finance team and appreciate the breadth of my training in all departments; things learnt in each department still come in use on a daily basis. Having a smaller intake gives trainees an ability to mold their training to their individual interests, and trainees are encouraged to seek out opportunities which interest them. This helps ensure that trainees who are willing to, can take on more responsibility. Training at Vinson & Elkins is all about getting involved from the start of a matter right until the end. Key Dates. If you would like to apply for a summer vacation placement or a training contract, please note the following important dates: Vacation placement application window: 1 November 2014 to 31 January 2015 Training contract application window: 1 November 2014 to 31 July 2015 Vacation placements: June 2015 to August 2015 (one week placement) You begin your training contract: September 2017 Applications should be made by way of our online application form, available from our website at: www.velaw.com/careers/londonrecruitment.aspx 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
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 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 2012. 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
Impact. The World s Leading Energy Law Firm Euromoney (1995-present)* Exceptional everyone I met, spoke to or had any dealings with, from partners to reception staff, was professional. Quality of advice was 100 percent, as was their knowledge Chambers UK 2014 UK Construction law firm of the year ACQ Global Awards 2012 V&E runs a fluid and incredibly flexible system that allows you to seek out and pursue work that really interests you Chambers Student Guide 2014 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 A long time leader in the energy field Law360 2012 V&E is top-notch all the way. They are really smart people Chambers UK 2014 They are responsive, attentive, creative in their thinking and offer sound legal advice Chambers UK 2014 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 250 2013 Excellent reputation for energy and commodities work, particularly in emerging markets Legal 500 UK 2012 Very fine oil and gas practice Chambers UK 2013 The firm s battalion of seasoned energy lawyers oversees arguably the largest oil and gas practice in the world Law360 2012 *Based upon the number of lawyers named in the Guide to the World s Leading Energy Lawyers. 7
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 International Professional Support Attorney Graduate Recruitment Coordinator Vinson & Elkins RLLP CityPoint, 33rd Floor One Ropemaker Street London, EC2Y 9UE +44.20.7065.6000 graduaterecruitment@velaw.com Opportunity. 8
Join the Energy. graduaterecruitment@velaw.com @vinsonandelkins www.velaw.com/careers/londonrecruitment.aspx Vinson & Elkins RLLP International Lawyers Abu Dhabi Austin Beijing Dallas Dubai Hong Kong Houston London Moscow New York Palo Alto Riyadh San Francisco Tokyo Washington www.velaw.com