Trainee Solicitor Contracts



Mark Chapman - Former Trainee

I expected my time in the Company & Commercial Department to be much like the other training seats I had undertaken; I was to carry out a supporting role within the department and would be given files to work on and then report back to the partner in charge.

By the nature and sheer scale of the work, life in Company & Commercial was a lot more fast paced than I was expecting. The learning curve in the department was undoubtedly the steepest that I encountered whilst undertaking my training. Having this new skills set to get to grips with, coupled with the high expectations of business clients, generally meant that I found myself working longer hours than I had worked in most other departments, especially when a transaction was nearing completion.

I gained so much practical experience in just the first few months. I have been able to put the experience and confidence I gained to good use and to build on it ever since. The strong team-based way of working in Company & Commercial meant that I was given a lot more responsibility than I had experienced in other seats. What was particularly re-assuring is that no matter how busy the team were there was always someone available to listen, help and guide me on my work. You're treated by everyone as a very valuable member of the team, and as a trainee this makes learning and working so much easier.

But that's the nature of the firm. The first thing I noticed as an incoming trainee, and is still the case, is how friendly everyone is. Staff from all the various departments mix professionally and socially. This makes for a great atmosphere in the office. No one stands on parade and everyone from assistants up to Senior Partner are open and approachable.

Seeing my negotiation and drafting skills naturally developing over the course of my time in Company & Commercial was hugely encouraging and rewarding. As these skills develop you are given greater tasks and responsibilities, enabling you to become fully equipped with the capabilities needed for commercial practice. You're obviously learning all the time but it's never made to feel like that, you just feel part of this great team structure working on behalf of the client.

I found my seat to be challenging, interesting and fun. The fast pace and demanding nature of the department were the things that confirmed my suspicions that Company & Commercial would be the area that I wanted to qualify into.