WJLD - A Day in the Life of a Trainee Solicitor: Property Litigation 12:00: I receive a call from a new enquiry regarding a potential boundary dispute. I ask the gentleman to provide me with all the background information and key dates. I make sure that I am clear on the facts before sending a note round to the team to see who has the capacity to take on the matter. I also draft an initial email to the new enquiry to assist the team.
Lucy George My name is Lucy George, I am a Trainee Solicitor at MFG Solicitors LLP, and I am currently completing my second seat with the Property Litigation department at the firm’s Bromsgrove office. Most people that I speak to have no idea what the day of a trainee solicitor entails, so hopefully this article will provide aspiring solicitors, and of course others, with an insight into life as a trainee.
13:00: Lunchtime. The office is situated on the high street, so is close to lots of cafés and shops. I take a walk down the high street, try not to go into any shops, and head back to the office. 14:00: My supervisor and I sit down to call the client regarding the Letter of Claim. We take the time to discuss each of the client’s queries in detail. I make some amendments to my draft email as we go through. We also discuss amendments to the Letter of Claim and make these with the client on the phone. After the call, we send the amended Letter of Claim to the client for final approval. My supervisor asks
My Typical Day as a Trainee Solicitor 08:30: I arrive at the office, make myself a cup of coffee and head to my desk to review my emails and highlight priority tasks for the day. This allows me to stay organised and plan the day around urgent tasks that need completing. I say hello to colleagues as they start arriving and the team discuss urgent matters. 09:00: I have been asked to carry out some research on flying freeholds and the options available to protect the owner of the flying freehold’s rights of support, shelter, and access. Using research tools such as Practical Law and MBL Seminars, I can find the information that I need, and I put together a research document for my supervisor. 10:30: I have been assisting my supervisor with a professional negligence matter and recently drafted a Letter of Claim, which we sent to the client for approval before sending to the other side. The client responded with several queries, and I therefore arrange a telephone meeting with the client and my supervisor to discuss queries and next steps. Ahead of the telephone meeting, I draft a response to the client and make some proposed amendments to the Letter of Claim.
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me to complete an attendance note for the meeting. 15:00: Today I have the opportunity to attend a client meeting with my supervisor and one of the solicitors in the team, the purpose of which is to discuss the options available to the client, the facts and next steps. The client is anxious about the prospect of litigation, and it is therefore extremely beneficial to observe how my supervisor and colleague reassure and put the client at ease. This meeting was held at the firm’s Kidderminster office, which meant that after the meeting I could say hello to colleagues who I hadn’t seen in a while (in some cases, since before the pandemic!). 17:00 – I arrive in Worcester for the Worcestershire Law Society bowling tournament. It is great to have the opportunity to meet new people and catch up with colleagues (even though my bowling score was rather embarrassing!).
