Solicitor
My training time seems to be absolutely flying by. I’m on my third seat now, and on secondment to a client, which is really great experience and a lot more responsibility. The experience of client secondment makes you a bit more independent. It feels like I’m now being relied on more to do things without supervision – which is really good in terms of developing confidence, while also making you work harder to understand the issues.
I studied law at Newcastle University, and spent two weeks on a summer vacation placement after my second year. The biggest thing I noticed was that there’s a real focus on working together and getting to know each other well, which is encouraged by all the external social activities. It’s nice to have that break from the office and chat to people that you work with. I think the social events provide that, and help build better working relationships within the team.
The atmosphere here was partly what swayed it for me – and also, the variety of work you get involved with, plus the responsibility and client contact. That progresses throughout your training contract – the amount of client exposure that trainees can experience here helps to develop personal skills. When you are talking to clients day-to-day, you quickly grow in confidence.
In my last seat I was the main point of contact on a really interesting construction matter – a piece of litigation over which I actually had control. What was really rewarding about it was that after I’d moved back to London, the client rang me to suggest we have a coffee and a catch-up. It was great that he really appreciated the work I’d done – I felt like I’d formed a good client relationship.
With the training, the variety of work and the support that Pinsent Masons offers, trainees here can look forward to receiving a really good grounding over two years, working with some real experts in their field. When you join, it just takes a little time to find your feet, and get to know the way the firm and the different partners work. After that you’ll be given as much responsibility as you can handle. If you prove yourself, then you will get plenty of client exposure.
Overall I’ve been really pleased with the type of work I’ve been doing and having the chance to move to another office and get experience outside. It’s provided me with some great opportunities to develop. The last year and a half has gone really quickly!
[Since this profile was first written Neha has qualified at the firm and is now working in the Employment team in our Birmingham office.]