A day in the life of a Solicitor at a leading law firm

Laura Wilson is a 1^st Year Commercial Trainee and had the opportunity to work at the leading law firm in Kent, Whitehead Monckton last year, here she tells us her experience at the law firm.

“My dream of becoming a solicitor for a leading law firm in Kent

My first day as a Whitehead Monckton trainee finally arrived on Monday 2nd September 2013, after what felt like an eternal wait! Having attended an assessment day in 2011, I was offered a position to commence with the firm in September 2013. Although it felt on many occasions as if my first day would never arrive, it came around in no time!

I arrived feeling incredibly nervous. However, I soon felt at ease once I became acquainted with two other equally nervous trainees. Meeting them in reception on day 1 was an instant comfort and we quickly bonded. Our first week became a whirlwind of induction sessions, meet and greets and a tour of all of the offices. We were fortunate enough to be facilitated in the firm’s shiny new training rooms, where we were introduced to the case management system and most importantly, taught how to book holidays!

Nerves quickly began to fade away and midway through the first week I was shown to my desk and set to work. I am undertaking a specifically commercial training contract and on my first day within the department we went out for a department lunch at a nearby restaurant. This was the perfect way to become acquainted with my new colleagues and the team that I would be working most closely with. My life was made easier again by the presence of the 2nd year commercial trainee, Caroline, who assisted me greatly by answering all of my ‘silly’ questions.

Since starting, I have been involved in a variety of commercial work, ranging from assisting on commercial property matters to helping prepare for upcoming employment tribunals. It quickly became apparent that all of the staff at Whitehead Monckton were prepared to be generous with their time in assisting me and more than willing to involve a trainee in all aspects of work where possible.

My commercial work is supplemented by my involvement in further areas and over my first few weeks, my diary quickly became busy with a variety of events and meetings. I signed up to become a member of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility team and also part of the Charities and the Property developers & investors sector. Involvement in these areas is assisting greatly with my integration within the firm as a whole, as well as broadening my knowledge on various subject areas.

As a new person not only to the firm but to the town itself, the friendly, welcoming atmosphere of Whitehead Monckton and all of its team members has helped me tremendously in settling into life as a commercial trainee and I look forward to what the next two years will bring.”

Whitehead Monckton is one of the leading law firms in Kent and specialises in legal sectors including family law, wills and probate and employment law and some of the top conveyancing solicitors kent. The Kent law firm covers the whole of Kent with a wide range of expertise in various fields. For more information on the solicitors at Whitehead Monckton or how they could help you, visit the Whitehead Monckton website.