My journey from trainee to newly qualified solicitor
Making the leap from trainee solicitor to newly qualified solicitor (NQ) is a significant milestone in any legal career. It can be exciting but also daunting!
However, it becomes even more challenging if you are starting your NQ role at a completely different firm from the one you trained in for the last two years. Not only have you got to adapt to life as an NQ, but also adapt to a new firm’s practices, policies and procedures.
That was exactly the situation I was in. I had just finished my training contract at a firm in Cambridge, keen to qualify into clinical negligence, but wanted to relocate to London.
When applying for NQ roles, I wanted to find a firm that had the following qualities to enable this transition to be as smooth as possible for me:
- Allowing me to embrace the new level of autonomy that comes with qualifying as a solicitor.
Whilst most NQs want to hit the ground running and work on their own caseload, I have always viewed the transition from trainee to solicitor like passing a driving test: one day you are a learner with ‘L’ plates on your car, the next you are a driver legally allowed to drive on the road.
You will not automatically have the confidence or skills of an experienced driver overnight, and it’s usually sensible to drive with either ‘P’ plates on or at least have an experienced driver in the passenger seat guiding you until you have developed your confidence to drive alone, right?
This was the view I had when applying to firms. As an NQ you have so much to learn, and so to work at a firm that gives you a caseload to run on your own from day one without supervision is a recipe for a car crash.
What attracted me to BBK was their plan for me to initially assist on cases before eventually having my own caseload. This is because the firm deals with complex and high value claims which naturally mandate good levels of supervision to ensure we secure the best outcomes for our clients.
Now you might think because you’re not able to run your own cases straight away, you won’t experience a new level of autonomy, or freedom, as other NQs – but it’s quite the opposite.
The contributions I’ve made have been valuable and appreciated, and it’s rewarding to see my input has influenced the direction a case has gone, even though the case is not my own.
I know the exposure gained so far will help when I eventually have the autonomy, and confidence to run my own caseload – without the ‘P’ plates so to speak!
- Providing the opportunity to seek feedback and training.
Again, just because you were a trainee yesterday and NQ today, does not mean you know everything! We are constantly learning and developing, and I wanted a firm that would allow me the opportunity to approach others for support and guidance whilst navigating these early stages in my NQ career.
It is BBK’s policy that you have monthly catch ups with supervisors, not only to discuss cases, but wellbeing, training needs and any further support that is needed. I wanted a firm where I was not afraid to speak my mind if something wasn’t right, or to ask questions, even if they were silly, without facing any prejudice, and BBK has provided that supportive environment I had been after.
- Opportunities to market your brand and the firm’s brand.
Adjusting to life as an NQ is not just about developing your legal practice, but about promoting yourself and the firm and giving back to society.
I wanted a firm that would have plenty of opportunities for me to get involved in charity work, marketing and business development which would allow me to develop professional relationships and create a positive reputation for myself.
In the six months I’ve been here at BBK I’ve already had the opportunity to take part in a networking event for one of our charity partners, attended an all-day conference hosted by the Spinal Injuries Association, and participated in internal and external training events as well as a fundraising lunch for one of our charity partners.
Despite being new, the firm already has the confidence and trust in me to take part in these events as a representative from BBK.
- A firm that places a real emphasis on flexibility and work-life balance.
This to me is one of the most important qualities I looked for when applying to firms as an NQ. During my training I have experienced the very late nights and early mornings and quickly decided this was not a sustainable balance for me, therefore I wanted a firm that championed a healthy work-life balance and flexibility without being micro-managed.
I wanted a firm that understood we are all human and sometimes life events get in the way and adjustments to work arrangements have to be made. For me that is exactly what I have experienced with BBK: in the midst of transitioning from a trainee to an NQ, I had also discovered I was pregnant!
The team, and firm, have been nothing but supportive and understanding and because of the firm’s flexible working policy, I’ve had the freedom to complete my work around hospital appointments etc. without additional stress of being micro-managed or questioned about my whereabouts, unlike some other firms.
I could not have asked for a better start to my NQ career!
