My Path to Pinsent Masons

Training contracts

| 02 Nov 2017 | 1:12 pm

Written by Katy Smith

I took a rather unconventional route to becoming a trainee solicitor at PM.

Having always wanted to work in the legal sector I made the decision to go to University at the age of 30 and after having two children. I graduated from the LLB Law degree course in 2013 and began working at PM almost immediately as a Pensions paralegal.

Pensions was not an area of law covered in my law degree but proved to be interesting and I developed my legal skills in that role for two years before applying for a training contract at Pinsent Masons in 2015.

On securing my training contract I began my legal practice course immediately and was granted flexible working to reduce my full time role to four days a week so I could undertake the course part-time over two years. PM fully supported me during my period of studying and I was extremely lucky to have both a practical knowledge of how the law works before I began the LPC and a supportive team around me at PM who went out of their way to help wherever they could.

On completion of the LPC I began my training contract and I am currently in my first seat in the corporate department. I am thoroughly enjoying the challenges that being a trainee brings and the feeling that I am working towards qualification in a team and a law firm who really want me to succeed.

I have been exceptionally fortunate to have worked for Pinsent Masons who have recognised the skills that I arrived with and have helped me develop, first as a paralegal and now as a trainee. I can’t comment on other law firms as I have only worked for Pinsent Masons but to me, this is a welcoming environment with positive and inspirational people who have continually supported me in chasing my dreams to become a solicitor.

Certainly at Pinsent Masons age is no barrier to success and I consider myself very lucky to have found myself in a firm where everyone, regardless of their age, race, gender, and ethnicity can thrive.

Katy Smith is a current trainee in our Leeds Office having started with the firm as a paralegal in 2013. For more information on our Training Contract Programme click here.