Vantaggi
Social purpose - many employees and partners truly believe in the firm's social purpose. It's nice to work alongside people who care and who aren't just in it for the money. Work-life balance - Better than most firms (big and small). There are of course many people who work ridiculous hours, especially in more senior positions, but work-life balance is encouraged and is the norm. You won't be penalised, judged or prevented from progressing in your career because you want to get home to your kids or hobbies every night. Very refreshing attitude, every firm should take a leaf out of their book in this respect. Training - mix of commercial and private client work in a mid-size firm is great for trainee solicitors who aren't sure what their calling is yet. Quite rare to be able to experience both, and the firm excels in the work it does with individuals (such as PI/clinical negligence, child care, family, court of protection, wills and probate etc). Close-knit - several teams are very close-knit which makes for a very positive and pleasant work environment. It's easy to make friends at ACS.
Svantaggi
Social purpose - a lot has changed in recent years and it's social purpose is very much watered down. Buzz words at best. Often felt like more of a marketing device than a central facet of the firm. The firm's goal is to make profit, not help people, which is absolutely fine (and normal) as long as they don't pretend to only care about improving lives, communities and society. Pay - below market rate, and the disparity increases the higher up you go. HR - shocking. Lots of serious issues go unaddressed or are handled badly. Nothing is done to effectively address issues in teams renowned for their toxic culture, so staff turnover can be high in some areas. Feels like feedback on what could be improved is ignored when it comes to challenging difficult issues. Training - training contracts are disorganised, the training and support you receive is patchy depending on your team, appraiser etc, and too much weight is put on being a bit of a character and the number of extra-curricular commitments you have, over and above the quality of work you deliver and your commitment to self-improvement. Process needs a lot of work. Juniors - unqualified staff can be taken advantage of and don't receive the same level of respect as qualified staff members. Often true at other firms too, but ACS likes to think it's different but tends not to practice what it preaches. Limited support for alternative routes to qualification too, which some find frustrating. Cult-like culture - this is not a place for people who dare to be different or want to challenge things that can be improved. This is a firm for 'yes' people who will bend over backwards to blend in and go along with everything just the way it is, right or wrong. Again, ACS says it's different but does not practice what it preaches.