South West

Regional overview
With the quality of work currently available at an all time high, the South West now offers a credible career alternative to the City. Many firms in the region are on the legal panels of major organisations and have an enviable national, and sometimes international, client base. In general, the pedigree of lawyers practising in the area is impressive – a surprising number have City backgrounds and have chosen to leave London for a better work/life balance.

Principal business centres and key employers
Bristol is the legal and commercial centre of the South West, selling itself on quality of life and its proximity to London. There is an increasingly competitive legal market – until a few years ago, Burges Salmon and Osborne Clarke were regarded as the two dominant commercial firms but they now face competition from firms such as Clarke Willmott, TLT, Bond Pearce and Bevan Brittan. Firms such as Foot Anstey and Ashfords provide excellent opportunities across the West Country with offices in all the legal centres of Exeter,Taunton and Plymouth (Ashfords also has a presence in Bristol). Michelmores in Exeter deserve a mention for the quality of its work and lawyers as do Follett Stock in Truro.

Living in the area
The South West offers a diverse mix of cities, countryside and coastline. Bristol is a prosperous city with a vibrant cultural and social scene. Bath and Cheltenham are both beautiful historic cities. The Cotswolds, Exmoor and the Quantocks provide breathtaking countryside, while Devon and Cornwall also offer stunning coastlines. Many lawyers choose to live in areas where they can walk to work and the housing options are attractive and more affordable than London. The South West has excellent transport links – there is a good rail network and airports in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and Newquay