Graduate Case Studies - Chelsea - Bird & Bird LLP - Trainee solicitor

Name: Chelsea

Age: 27

University and subject: RMIT University, B App Sc Medical Radiations (Nuclear Medicine)

Law School: College of Law

Job title: Trainee solicitor, Bird & Bird LLP

Why did you decide upon a career in law?

As someone who has always been interested in developments in the law and current affairs, law always seemed a natural career progression, even if the path I followed was a little unusual.  After completing my degree in Australia, I worked in Nuclear Medicine for five years, both in Melbourne and in London.  I thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment, where I’m continually learning and adapting to the demands placed on me by a situation.  Initially my interest in science and working within busy hospitals provided this environment for me, but as my skills improved and my knowledge increased my interest waned, and so began a search to find a way of combining two careers which at first seemed incompatible.  After trawling the Internet and talking to colleagues and solicitor friends, I discovered the GDL.  Finally there was a solution, I could realise my ambition to practise law and not throw away years of study in Nuclear Medicine.  I submitted an application to study part-time at the College of Law in 2005 and have not looked back since.

What did the application process involve?

Bird & Bird recruits heavily from the vacation schemes held every summer, so I put a lot of effort into my online application for the three-week scheme commencing in June 2006.  Following my application in January of that year, I was invited to the firm in March to be interviewed by two partners.  I was pretty nervous as I hadn’t been interviewed for a job in years, but they were really friendly and I remember we ended up talking about the cricket (England had recently won the Ashes!).  My interviewers did a great job of making me feel relaxed so the interview didn’t feel like an interrogation but more like a conversation.  Amongst other things we discussed my previous work experience, interests, transferrable skills, and career objectives.

What type of work are you doing in your current seat?

I am currently half way through my second seat in Tax, which is a small department but as it is located on the same floor as Corporate I tend to work for both departments.  Early on in my seat I was performing company searches, drafting letters to HMRC and assisting in the set up of a data room.  I have also worked as part of a team on a large multi-jurisdictional transaction which involved regular correspondence with the client and foreign counsel. As Tax is a legislation heavy area of law, I am often asked to research and produce a note on quite complex issues, which has required me to get my head around lengthy statutes.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I like that I am challenged by my job and constantly learning.  It is really satisfying to pick your way through a complex issue and produce a piece of work of which you can be proud. 

I’m fortunate to be in a friendly firm with a healthy work / life balance and some great sports teams.  All of my colleagues are really down to earth and have always made an effort to make me feel as though I can approach them with any questions or to ask for their advice.  Also, Bird & Bird is involved in a lot of pro bono activities in the community which is really important to me, such as the Lawyers in Schools program in Sydenham and the South Westminster Legal Advice Centre, both of which have been really rewarding to get involved in. 

Are there any downsides to what you do?

It can be hard sometimes to juggle work, especially when I am working on several different matters for several different people. As a trainee you want to get as much experience as you can but sometimes you simply don’t have capacity.  I find that so long as I manage people’s expectations and keep them informed of when they will receive the work there isn’t a problem. It is much better to be upfront about your timescale rather than taking on too much work and letting people down.

What do you think are the most important skills/strengths you need to be a successful solicitor?

I think organisation is a key skill along with good written and oral communication skills.  As a trainee, enthusiasm is also really important.

What would be your best piece of advice for graduates considering a career in law?

Get as much work experience as you can.  Whether you volunteer at a legal advice centre, get a job as a court clerk, shadow a trainee for a day or watch a trial from the public gallery of your local court, work experience will help you decide what areas of law interest you (and therefore which firms you should consider applying to) and it demonstrates to a future employer that you are committed to career in law.  Also, many firms use their summer vacation schemes to recruit future trainees, so once you have found a firm you like, I highly recommend applying for a place on their vacation scheme.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Remember when you’re applying for a training contract, how you feel about the firm is as important as how the firm feels about you.  Law fairs, open days and interviews are a good opportunity for you to assess whether you would be happy to work there, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.