Life as a Trainee Solicitor with Beale and Company

Initial impressions (The thoughts of a first year Trainee)

My first seat has been in the construction litigation department so my previous experience working in the construction industry has come in handy to help me grasp the technical aspects of the cases I am working on. The work is both stimulating and challenging with tight deadlines and I have found that an ability to use initiative is vital in order to meet the clients' needs.

To dispel a common myth, a Training Contract is not all about proof-reading, photocopying and research. Everyone here has been very helpful and supportive as I learn the ropes. From the managing partner to the office juniors, they are all approachable and willing to point me in the right direction.

It is not all hard work either - the social side of life here is very enjoyable with some organised social events and others not so organised!

Being a Trainee Solicitor is everything I expected it to be and so much more. If you believe you would enjoy the challenge of working here, apply to join Beale and Company.

Further developments (The experience of a second year Trainee)

By the time you reach the second year of your Training Contract you know that there is more to being a lawyer than wearing wire rimmed glasses and looking intelligent in a law library! In addition to a solid appreciation of the law, a good solicitor needs a myriad of skills and qualities that can only be learnt through exposure to the reality of legal practice.

During your training contract, it goes without saying that you learn more about "the law" but that is just the beginning. There is much more to be learnt through meeting with (difficult!) clients, dealing with (difficult!) solicitors, attending court, liaising with counsel, learning negotiating tactics, handling your own caseload, identifying and tackling ethical issues, bouncing legal problems off your fellow colleagues, marketing, proposing new initiatives … the list goes on.

I have enjoyed my Training Contract with Beale and Company for a number of reasons. Aside from what I have outlined above, the training is closely monitored by the firm's training partner, your individual training partner and the partner with whom you sit! If I have wanted more experience in a particular field the partners have done their best to give me that experience. If I need to discuss anything - whether legal or not - their doors are always open. On top of that I am not expected to fit into any particular mould and I do not have to work ridiculous hours! Not bad at all I say!

I have always believed that life is what you make it and I think the same goes for your training contract. I know what I have learnt from my experience - what will you learn from yours? I shall leave you to make your own decisions.