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Unless you're new to law firm applications, the concept of looking into a firm's culture is probably not new to you. But as much as 'the firm's culture' is referenced in application advice, what does it really mean? What do you have to look out for when researching culture? And what kinds of questions should you ask to get the answers you're looking for?

In this article, we'll be taking a look at how to equip yourself with a better understanding of a firm's culture. The stronger your understanding of the firm as an environment is, the stronger your application – and your experience – will be!

What’s culture?

As with anything on this blog, I like to start out with a basic definition (and the occasional historical deep dive). The word 'culture' has agricultural origins, originally meaning the tilling of land to prepare the earth for crops – which isn't surprising considering what it signifies: the ideas, customs and attitudes of a social group.

The culture of a firm, therefore, is the sum of the people within that firm: their ideas, values, customs and personalities – and the ways in which these elements interact across the firm as a whole. It's an immeasurable quality that's difficult to glean without actually working at the firm for a while; but luckily there are a few ways in which you can scope out the culture of a firm even without (yet!) being employed there.

Method one: social media posts

If a firm's culture is the sum of its people, but you don't happen to know anyone at the firm, your first port of call should be LinkedIn (and other social media platforms where relevant). Start with the firm's profile and have a look at the firm's senior staff – it's partners, associates and even recruitment. What kinds of things do they post and how do they express themselves? If they interact with other posts, what do they say? And if there are any trends you notice across all the people you look at – what can they tell you about both the people themselves and the firm as a whole?

Method two: open day scouting

Unsurprisingly, if you're looking to find out more about the feel of the firm, your best bet is to attend an open day (or a Q&A session, if the firm offers them). There, your focus should not only be on asking the trainees and solicitors present about their experiences at the firm (more on that later), but also on the general 'vibe' of the office. Here are some potential questions you could use:

• What's the layout like?
• Is it an open plan office?
• How are departments spread out, and how likely are you to run into people from other departments or offices?
• Does the firm have a hot desk policy?

Keeping an eye out for these features can help you gain a better idea of the firm's inter-departmental feel, and can give you an impression of the relationship between juniors and seniors at the firm.

Method three: asking questions

Perhaps most obviously, you can't expect to learn more about a firm's culture without asking some questions. Whether it's at an open day, Q&A session or even via LinkedIn, ask solicitors and trainees about their experiences at the firm. The more tailored your questions are to the firm's specific quirks and structures, the more helpful your answers will be, but there's no harm in getting a general idea, too.

Here are some questions to use as a starting point:

• Can you describe a day in your life?
• Can you tell me more about the firm's pro bono/ diversity and inclusion initiatives/ networks?
• Have you worked on any international deals or transactions lately and, if so, could you describe your role in them?
• Where do you see the future of your firm?
• What's the path to partnership like? Does the firm offer alternatives to partnership?
• How much responsibility do trainees get?
• How much client contact do trainees get?
• What trends in the legal and commercial landscapes do you foresee, and what is the firm doing to prepare for them?
• How does the firm deal with failure?
• How do the members of the firm keep up with new legislation/changes to the legal landscape?

Hopefully, this article has provided you with a starting point to reference when researching a firm's culture. Though it’s not an exhaustive list, I hope it could at least give you some idea of what to find when looking out for culture.