I have just embarked on my final six months as a trainee solicitor, and reflecting on my training contract experience so far, the past 18 months have undoubtedly been an invaluable learning curve. As I progress towards qualification, I have begun to reflect on the lessons learnt and experience gained. As a prospective trainee I
It is important to note when applying for training contracts at regional firms, your role is more than understanding the law in which seat you are training in. Here at Machins, as a trainee you are viewed as the future of the firm and so from day one you will have an active role in
During the application season, it can feel like the whole world is announcing that they’ve accepted an offer for their top choice firm or are choosing between three placements. So, how do you stay focused and avoid the trap of comparison culture? You’re already trying to balance ongoing studies alongside writing applications, attending events, networking
Thinking about the area of law that you would like to qualify into can be tricky. Some trainees know exactly what area of law they want to qualify in before they even start their training contract and others have absolutely no idea. Some trainees start their training contracts thinking they know exactly what they want
I am currently in the third seat of my training contract in the Commercial Property department and this will be my second time working as a trainee in the team. I thought it would be good to give an overview of what a Commercial Property trainee does on day-to-day basis, although no two days are
It is no secret that the work of a trainee solicitor can be taxing at times. There are deadlines to meet and just as you start to feel comfortable and on top of everything, you are switching seats and starting the whole process again. All this means is that it is especially important to take
At Machins we have three committees that welcome and encourage involvement from all members of staff, and I am lucky enough to be a member of all three. The Social Committee is responsible for planning, organising and overseeing social events and activities throughout the year, including our annual Christmas party. We also run a number
Normally the return to work in January as a trainee comes as a big shock to the system – you’re often starting in a new department with new colleagues, and have to shake off the brain fog brought on by too much food over the Christmas break. This time around, however, I am staying in
Seat rotations are one of the main stresses in your training contract. Making sure you are working towards getting you to the right place for qualification is a careful balancing act of what you think you want, the needs of the firm and a developing picture of where your skills are best utilised. So, here
You’ve made it past the interview stages, accepted the job offer, the initial excitement has passed and now the first day of your new job in a law firm is approaching. The nerves might be starting to settle in. Here are some top tips based on my experience to help ensure that your first job