People, culture and work
What makes us stand out? The quality of our people and our collegiate culture. Individualism thrives, but a team spirit pervades all levels of the firm. Trainees, associates, partners and business services staff all share the responsibility and the limelight. We train our lawyers to be flexible and
imaginative in applying the law. This cultivates an atmosphere of professional excellence, enabling our trainees to develop into exceptional lawyers. Our inclusivity group is an important element
of our culture. Comprising partners and senior business services staff, it promotes a spirit of diversity and equality throughout the firm. Whatever your background, you can fulfil your potential and help others to do so, inside and outside the office. Our approach to corporate responsibility also
reflects our partnership ethos. We strongly believe everyone in our local and wider communities should have access to legal advice and redress. The firm has a long tradition of providing pro bono assistance – it’s a service we find professionally stimulating and personally rewarding. Herbert Smith has a unique culture of
belonging and a sense of shared responsibility. It’s these qualities that create the perfect environment for you to grow and enjoy your career with us. We invest in you, so that you can invest in yourself.
Case study:
Altering perceptions Client: BSkyB Lead practice area: Dispute resolution Value: £318 million
BSkyB’s case against EDS was one of the most significant commercial trials in recent years and may alter the way tender processes are carried out in future. BSkyB instructed us in relation to a failed
project by EDS to design and build a new customer relationship management system. EDS twice failed to deliver, so BSkyB completed the construction of the new system itself and sought to recover its losses from EDS. The contract limited EDS’s liability for damages to £30 million. We argued that key sales and project
personnel had made false representations about EDS’s ability to design and build the new system on time and budget. We sought to prove that these misrepresentations were made dishonestly, which would mean the £30 million liability cap would not apply. The judgment held that EDS acted dishonestly
in making false representations during the tender process and before entering into the contract. It also found that EDS made further negligent misrepresentations during negotiations to restart the project and that they were in breach of contract. The £30 million cap was not effective to limit EDS’s liabilities for fraud. This allowed BSkyB to recover a total sum of £318 million, including costs and interest. Herbert Smith was named Litigation Team of
the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2010 in recognition of its advice to BSkyB in this case.
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