Survey results show that students value ethos over pay

Law students applying for training contracts are more concerned with the ethos of a law firm than the amount of money it pays, research by Leeds firm McCormicks shows.

The survey of 30 undergraduates found 27% named the ethos of a firm as the single most important factor when choosing where to train.

None said salary, which ranked fifth when all the factors were listed, although law school funding was important to many.

Mark Burns, graduate recruitment partner at McCormicks said: 'It shows that small and medium-sized firms, who think they can't compete with the big boys for the best graduates because of cash, are mistaken.'

Most knew little about which firms were well regarded in their fields.

Mr Burns said: 'It shows we don't sell ourselves as well as we think.'

Andrew Towler