The Insight of a Trainee Solicitor
As I enter the final two months of my training contract here at Wilkinson Woodward, I aim to give you an insight as to what you can expect your life to look like as a trainee solicitor and advice as to how to get as much out of your training contract as you possibly can.
I started my training contact in September 2022 after completing my law degree at the University of Manchester and LPC at the University of Law.
I have been fortunate enough to spend time within a number of different departments during my training contact including Care, Private Family Law, Private Client, Civil Litigation, Employment Law and Personal Injury. I will be spending the final few months of my training contract in the firm’s Commercial Property department.
Although each area of law is inherently distinct, I was able to gain an appreciation and further understanding of each by meeting clients, drafting, corresponding with legal professionals on the other side and completing legal research. To supplement this, as part of your training, you are required to complete the ‘Professional Skills Course’ (“PSC”) which comprises of three compulsory elements, those being Advocacy and Communication Skills, Financial and Business Skills and Client Care and Professional Standards. You are further required to complete four ‘elective’ modules. There is a variety of electives available, ranging from practical skills to more knowledge-based courses.
What support is available to Trainee Solicitors at Wilkinson Woodward?
One thing to bear in mind is that law is very different in practice than it is to study. You are not expected to be an ‘expert’ during your period of training and your colleagues are aware of this. At Wilkinson Woodward I have found that all staff I have worked under have been very accommodating and are willing to take the time to answer any questions you may have, no matter how silly you may think those questions are.
During my training contract I have felt very supported by those around me. Every three months I have a meeting with our Managing Director, Maureen, during which we discuss progression, any areas I should seek to improve and any concerns I have.
There is also an opportunity to meet up with other trainee solicitors in the firm, through the firm’s ‘buddy scheme’. We will often go for lunch together and discuss how our training is going. It is a great opportunity to meet up with your colleagues who are at the same career stage as yourself, who you may not otherwise have the opportunity to speak with during a typical working day.
How to get the most out of your training contract
It is very important that you ask questions of those around you; you must remember that the people you are working with are experts in their particular field and so you should take the opportunity to take as much of their knowledge away with you as you can.
Manage your time. As a trainee, you will not have a caseload akin to those qualified. That said, it is vitally important that you diarise tasks and ensure that you are working in a time effective manner to prepare yourself for qualification.
Show willing and be prepared to go ‘the extra mile’. You will quickly learn that your colleagues are extremely busy. The more work you can do, the more exposure you will have to that area of law and the more you will learn.
Engage in events outside of working hours. At Wilkinson Woodward, we pride ourselves upon participating in events within the local community. It is always good fun and we tend to raise a lot of money for local charities. I have personally been involved in the colour run at Greenhead Park, the Brighouse 1940s weekend and even dressed up as Santa Claus over the Christmas period!
The final piece of advice I would have for a future training solicitor is to enjoy yourself. The training contract is the final step before being admitted as a solicitor. It will be extremely challenging but also very rewarding and enjoyable.