Emma joined Michelmores as a first year trainee in September 2015 and is currently sitting in the Agricultural Litigation team in Bristol. She studied Law at London South Bank University and later went on to undertake the LPC at BPP Law School in London.
I think I’ve taken a slightly longer route into my training contract than many trainees but given that I graduated at the peak of the recession when firms were drastically cutting trainee numbers, my situation is not an uncommon one.
After finishing University and spending a year working as a Teaching Assistant, I decided to self-fund my LPC. I knew this was not a decision to be taken lightly even in a stable economy, but following a year out of the legal world, I was sure that a career in law was what I wanted, even if I felt like I had to climb a mountain to get there!
After completing my LPC I gained a great deal of legal experience, spending a number of months working for a research company translating European employment law changes into English. Following this, I worked for a year as a Legal Secretary in Boyes Turner’s employment team. I then moved into residential conveyancing, working initially as a Legal Secretary for Thomas Eggar, then a paralegal and later a senior case handler for TLT.
I did my utmost to gain all the experience I could in a very tricky market but never lost sight of the end-game – to get a training contract! I’m so glad I persevered.
I was looking for a firm that was not based in London but that still offered high quality work. I knew that I wanted to be a part of a firm that gave their trainees responsibility from the outset, client exposure and at the same time, allowed a trainee to be an individual and progress their career in the best way for them. Michelmores definitely ticks all of these boxes!
It was at my assessment day that I realised this was the firm for me, it really was as friendly, ambitious and collegiate as they said they were.
I have been given such a variety of work so far and no day has been the same. I have really enjoyed the amount of responsibility that I have at such an early stage and the client exposure really has been fantastic. The highlight so far has been attending trial at the Royal courts of Justice with counsel who was a QC, and seeing her in action.
I am based in Bristol at the moment and am still fairly new to the city so I like to spend time exploring. I particularly enjoy going to Clifton Village for brunch on a Sunday and then having a leisurely walk across the suspension bridge and through the Downs.
I like going for Afternoon Tea with friends and then attempting to replicate the cakes by baking them myself (they’re never quite the same though!).
If you have any other questions on being a trainee please comment below or tweet us @MMTrainees