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When looking to apply for training contracts or apprenticeships, one of the key questions you must consider is which type of law firm you think you would be best suited to.
In the UK, there are many types of law firms, ranging from large city firms to regional firms and high street firms to small boutique offerings. It is difficult to know prior to working within these businesses which is the correct fit for you. However, attending open evenings and talking to current trainees and fee earners is a good way to get a glimpse into the type of work, culture and trainee support available at a firm prior to applying.
Michelmores offers the best of both worlds as a ‘destination law firm’ – it’s flexible hybrid approach to working enables you to work across offices of differing sizes in Exeter, Bristol, London and Cheltenham, whilst also providing opportunities to be involved in high quality work for both national and international clients typically found at large city firms. This allows Michelmores to offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ destination for clients as our teams can work collaboratively on multiple workstreams both cross-office and cross-sector for a single client.
Knowing the experience of other trainees training at various types of firm, I am delighted to be training at Michelmores, and this is why…
Responsibility and Client Contact
As a trainee at Michelmores, you are given a high level of responsibility and client contact from day one. During my first seat in Transactional Real Estate, I was attending meetings with my supervisor and writing letters to clients in my own name within my first week! This can be very exciting but also feel a bit scary at the beginning of your training contract. Luckily, my supervisors and colleagues at Michelmores have been very supportive and always ensure I am confident when approaching client communication.
The skills that you can build from this level of responsibility from an early stage in your career are invaluable and provide a strong basis for development as you progress through your training contract. Typical trainee tasks such as drafting an attendance note of a meeting you have attended is great practice and ensures that you really understand the details of a matter as you summarise them into a concise note for the file. This level of responsibility and client communication allows your confidence to skyrocket, and it is extremely rewarding to be considered a useful and trusted member of your team.
Work-Life Balance
Training at Michelmores has provided me with good work-life balance – something which was extremely important to me when considering which firms to apply to. Of course, there are occasions where trainees may have to work a little later to help support other fee earners or to finish a particular urgent task, but this is not the norm at Michelmores! Fee earners are highly invested in trainees and like to ensure they have a good work-life balance and their wellbeing is supported. The Firm’s hybrid and flexible working policy allows you to choose and work from wherever is best for you and your team collectively. This means that there is the option to work from home sometimes and enjoy a relaxing walk in the Devon countryside straight after work…the perfect way to switch off if you ask me!
Trainee Support
Trainees at Michelmores are nurtured as they are seen as the future partners of the Firm. This means that at every step of the way through your training contract, colleagues are on hand to provide advice and guidance. As well as every trainee having a designated trainee supervisor within their team, trainees are well supported by the Firm’s training principal, members of HR and each other! Whether you have an issue in your personal life or a query about your training contract or career progression, there is always someone who is more than happy to help. Trainees are also provided with training sessions throughout their two year training contract, these vary from sessions on resilience and teamwork, to drafting and communication workshops.
Overall, I am extremely grateful to be training at Michelmores as I have access to good quality work with a high level of responsibility and client communication whilst also being well supported. I think this gives me the best possible springboard into my career and I would encourage prospective trainees to really consider the type of firms they are applying for and what they want from their future career.
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