By the grace of God I have qualified as a Solicitor in the Senior Courts of England & Wales and this week marks the end of my training contract and my last week at my training firm! I'm grateful for all the experience and opportunities gained and looking forward to what the future holds.
At the end of each week of my Training Contract, I tweeted a summary of the things I learnt, what I want to focus on for next week and any improvements. I created a thread of these tweets and have copied my 'electronic' TC Diary below as small snippets of what it is like being a trainee solicitor.
Week 1: This week I started my #trainingcontract which is a literal dream come true!! Alhamdullilah for everything. Although I feel slightly scared (lol) I'm really looking forward to the challenge! Here's to growth 🙌🏼
I survived the week - mistakes were made, stress levels up the roof, evenings at my desk but its over!!
Week 2: Alhamdullilah for the lessons learnt and pushing myself through even when I thought I couldn't do it!
Week 3: need to concentrate on client instructions more and seek further info if unsure.
Otherwise, client communication really clear 😊
I'll make a thread of this for future reference!
Week 4: focus advice to what the client wants, show your understanding of it.
Learn as you go on with different clients how things are done based on their needs/procedures.
Billing is super important (always!)
Week 5: CPD and trainee diary are important - keep them up to date.
I also helped with producing a live webinar and ensuring all ran well on the day = hard work worth it!
Week 6: Take a break! I've been busy with some personal development and thinking about work, the next step, the next goal, my supervisor told me to
s l o w d o w n !
Here's to a new month!
Week 7: don't forget the who, what, why, when in correspondence. Sometimes useful to create a list for clarity.
Remember to prepare for meetings(!)
Remember to check attachments before sending out correspondence.
Week 8: in person advice is just as important as written advice. Led a client meeting which went well.
Staying on top of matters to progress them is crucial!
Positive end to the week Alhamdullilah
Week 9: Getting to know your client and spending extra time to research and truly understand them will benefit in the long run.
Give clear instructions to clients to enable them to take some action.
Talk more?
Week 10: Dig deeper with details. Client attendance notes are super useful.
Willingness to help others but don't compromise your own work.
Week 11: taking care of matters, don't forget to follow through.
Stay on top of CPD and keep training contract diary updated.
Client contact will no doubt increase, focus on the now.
Week12: detail in drafting document is so important, read every sentence. Make use of ctrl+F to remove any incorrect references and don't rely on the precedent too much.
Week 13: sign the letter before you post it!
Practice makes perfect, so embrace all opportunities.
I trained my colleagues on how to use LinkedIn and some useful tips when sharing posts = success!
Week 14: A fab week for business development! Our virtual webinar went really well and I'm glad I was a part of it.
Led the final training session.
October will be a busy month, more webinar coordination, back to uni and moving offices!
Week 15: introduced a new client to the firm and led the client meeting. Although I didn't know all the answers, it was enjoyable & exciting to hear about the company and its growth.
Aside that, need to get back to good time management!
Week 16: Continue CPD, refine smaller details. Good communication with clients and third party organisations.
Business development is super important and enjoyable! More to follow later this month and next.
Week 17: Focus, untangle and deal with past mistakes to find a solution and move forward.
Billing is drilling still. LinkedIn. #businessdevelopment - more to follow.
Read and re-read before you press send.
Week 18: One precedent will help with the rest.
Focus on one thing at a time.
Practice makes perfect.
Enjoy the experience!
Week 19: presenting in front of the Westminster Charity network was great. Apparently it was my best performance yet!! I have more business development coming up next week.
Need to focus on more hours and training.
Week 20: presented to small charities all about good governance. It was great! I'm glad I'm able to exercise this skill to improve it!
A few tasks to do within a deadline to work under pressure and test that skill.
Week 21: A good follow-up week after all the #businessdevelopment. I led a client meeting & received good feedback on confidently engaging with the client.
I also worked on a mediation bundle and a fast-track company registration.
Week 22: I attended online uni for 2 days which was v useful - all about client care.
I prepared a mediation bundle for next week, working under pressure and to tight deadlines.
Improvement: stick to client scope!
Week 23: I attended a 12-hour virtual mediation. It was great to experience it - the negotiations, Counsel's advice and the use of the bundle. (Funnily enough it was on my birthday so it won't be forgotten!)
Week 24: a lot of personal development and CPD. A client was happy with the support provided throughout their organisational changes and process.
Need to do more research on matters I'm unsure of.
Week 25: finishing a few tasks that have been on my to do list for a while. Got myself through the week and attended a client meeting, with no prep but knew the matter well enough to explain what the documents are and process.
Week 26: need to refine some communications, especially when making representations on behalf of clients.
Client communication is going great!
Week 27: Christmas Day
Week 28: New Year's Day
(Much needed break!)
Week 29: First seat review - my determination, enthusiasm for law, hard work and generosity when helping others have really shone. Being proactive, a good team player & focussed go a long way.
Improvements: attention to detail and structure in writing.
Week 30: Started my second seat - Dispute Resolution. Solid start, learning a lot and being challenged. New experiences of drafting forms, client meetings, registrations.
Week 31: Lots more learning this week - contacting third parties on clients’ behalf, making sure I understand matters to explain to others, more client contact, started new matters and drafting correspondence and documents.
Week 32: Mention of next year seems scary, far and near all at the same time(!) Lots of technical research, learning and training.
“To advise is to give advice”
Week 33: more research, attention to detail especially when serving letters of court proceedings.
Week 34: mistakes were made this week but learnt from them and will have more learning to come. Loads of disclosure and chronology of events done and more to follow!
Weeks 35, 36, 37: remember to write in chronological order based on the type of document drafting and without prejudice correspondence is separate to replies to other side's letters of claim.
(annual leave)
Week 38: Advocacy PSC is done! Key skills of keeping eye contact, speaking clearly & at good pace, identifying the heads of claim and dealing with these issues to either prove or admit liability. It felt good to be back at uni this week!
Week 39: dilapidations coming into practice more often! Lease enfranchisement are long processes I need to know more about. Litigation lawyers communicate in (written) art form!!
Week 40: say what you mean and mean what you say. A litigator communicates in a tactical and well thought out way, usually depending on your position (strong/weak).
Gotta get my head around Precedent H.
Week 41: Good Friday
Week 42: embrace uncertainty within DR seat as opposed to predictability. New instructions/tasks are a theme in DR and it is enjoyable. Litigators analyse and consider all aspects of instructions, different to other lawyers.
Week 43: continuous legal research and then advising client on options. Seeking Counsel's advice where appropriate. Understanding which claim is worth pursuing and which isn't.
Week 44: lots of property litigation, rent arrears and breach of covenants.
Client meeting got me excited again with Charities making a difference and impact on many peoples lives - makes it worth it.
Week 45: new instructions on wonderfully varying things, trying to figure out what the issues are, drafting is pretty cool. I also passed my Finance exam!
Week 46: late nights whilst fasting and some early mornings but got through the week. Some more drafting.
Week 47: made it through fasting and working from home which I was grateful for!
Court filing deadlines this week!
Week 48: The first week back to the office which was an enjoyable change. We moved offices last year and I hadn't visited yet.
Week 49: recognising that as a junior, some decisions are reserved for my supervisor to make so always keep that in mind!
Drafted more employment documents which was super useful and reminded me of my first seat.
Week 50: Coronavirus Act still playing huge role when advising clients especially property litigation related issues. More drafting and correspondence, court hearing preparation.
Week 51: Conference with Counsel was very useful - felt like an examination in court. Really appreciated the skills shown by Counsel when speaking to and advising our client. Minute keeping throughout the meeting through initiative.
Week 52: end of second seat review! Many humbling comments but also points for development.
As I enter my third seat, need to focus on challenging myself more and taking lead on some matters.
Week 53: survived my first week in my 3rd seat: Property! Super busy, many completions before SDLT deadline.
Getting thrown in and trying to stay afloat with emails flying in - happy third seater!
Week 54: Another PSC day at uni which I really enjoyed and found useful - all about practical commercial contracts drafting and tips for us trainees.
More completions as we finally overcame the SDLT Deadline.
(Also loong walks!)
Week 55: focusing on training and development. Seeing transactions through. Always using latest version of docs and not making the same mistakes twice!
A good work week (other things need fixing!)
Week 56: dealing with difficult client calls, progressing other matters, admin and 1800 conveyances sums up this week!
Covering for my supervisor who is on leave also means a full mailbox each morning.
Week 57: more challenging situations, tricky things to deal with.
Feel the need to be pushed more out of my comfort zone and this is encouraged at work.
Completed my first matter by myself and client was very satisfied.
Week 58: more reports on title, taking new instructions over the phone and marketing our team to get instructed. Attention to detail on new matters, checking through correspondence to pick on small but important details.
Week 59: clients chasing on matters. Negotiating price deals with other side. Ensuring all enquiries are resolved. Clients are happy with outcomes/next step.
Need to work on time management, especially in the morning.
Week 60: working on tricky lease extensions, assisting impatient clients, getting an out of office from most people! New instructions mean a fresh start.
Week 61: a spiritual retreat and time off.
Week 62: slow progress on sales as management packs need to come through.
New instructions coming in and meetings with external members for exciting things to come! Chilled August week in prop department.
Week 63: supporting clients through their issues in addition to their instructions. This week taught me that I’m not just another lawyer churning away hours. I’m here to listen to those who felt the need to reach out to me.
Week 64: again, showing empathy to clients who need it. Being clear about boundaries and effective communication. Also stepping away when needed for clarity. Not personal, its just work.
Week 65: owning up to an issue to solve it. Check in with supervisor and speak things through with colleagues.
Week 66: survived #SDLT deadline, taking lead on exchanges and completions this week! Soldiered through Alhamdullilah.
Week 67: good client meeting and lovely feedback, demonstrating commercial awareness, BD, firm's business side. Surviving following stress of last week of the month.
Week 68: final PSC at uni - great session on commercial property transactions. New client instructions, training new staff members, drafting.
Week 69: client meeting, new matters, juggling deadlines, drafting, working with new colleagues.
Grateful for the challenge and looking forward to more!
Week 70: prioritising my learning and development is v important at this crucial point. Focus on growing and being challenged more, not doing repetitive tasks.
Week 71: being open and vocal about issues and taking action to improve them. Focus on growth, developmental work and challenging tasks.
Week 72: understanding long tasks, aims behind certain drafting and going back to the source is important.
Focus on the next step whilst working on today’s tasks to progress.
Week 73: more depth required when explaining matters to client. Drafting new types of notices on behalf of client for service. Working on purchases.
Week 74: tough week with personal lessons learnt. Don't wait for burn out to speak up on issues. Balance different tasks and expectations. Communicate issues with supervisors.
Week 75: started the week strong with a completion. Post completion matters dealt with. Dealing with charity leases.
Week 76: productive week, meeting various deadlines - research, drafting, reviewing leases. More independent work leading on matters and updating supervisors.
Week 77: ‘don’t say ‘correct’ too much - you will sound like too much of a lawyer’ is pleasantly funny advice I received. Chasing up more matters to complete in the new year and wrapping up before the holidays.
Week 78: Xmas Eve.
Week 79: New Year’s Eve.
Annual leave ✌🏽
Week 79: started my final seat in the Private Client department whilst still completing on my property transactions. Purchase and sale done!
Here’s to more learning.
Week 80: End of Property seat review with one main constructive criticism - feel comfortable making mistakes so you can learn! Getting closer to qualification, need to take more responsibility.
Client meetings in my new seat went well.
Week 81: client meetings with new instructions. Learning to capture attendance notes accurately/clearly. LPA training. Attending (far) meetings for property viewings. Making progress Alhamdullilah!
Week 82: Getting involved in more probate matters, contacting third parties, preparing income tax schedules. Need to take care of deadlines and manage expectations.
Week 83: more client meetings, very touching clients and many lessons learnt. Learning to improve my attendance-note taking skills. Choosing different environments to increase my productivity.
Week 84: testing my knowledge and experience so far in the Private Client department. More phone calls, leading parts of probate matters, client calls, loadsa admin.
Week 85: Annual leave
Week 86: lead client meeting, drafted a Will, managing Property transactions with Private Client work. Working on time management and keeping clients updated. Be more confident 🙌🏽
Week 87: sorting out qualification applications, managing property transactions alongside more Wills drafting, estate accounts and deputy OPG accounts. New work, new skills!
Week 88: income tax accounts, estate accounts, 50+ telephone calls, Will drafting instructions and organising meetings, replying to property enquiries. Thankful for all the experience even if it includes IHT forms!
Week 89: Final Week as a Trainee Solicitor, probably one of the busiest weeks. A lot of chasers for estate accounts, telephone calls, LPAs, attention to detail needed throughout. A lovely team lunch to end my Private Client seat.
Week 90: Qualified Solicitor in the Senior Courts of England & Wales! Grateful to God for making this happen 🤲🏽
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