Mother in Law: The best bits about my training contract

As lots of students come to the end of their LPCs and the like, I thought it would be worth reflecting on the good bits about my training contract, in case it helps focus anyone’s mind on what’s going to be important to them. There were lots of bad bits too, but I will save those for another day. These are the things that had a lasting effect on me and shaped the lawyer I became. I don’t think I would have realised their value at the outset.

1. I went to court a lot. For various reasons including Covid, I know a number of newly qualified solicitors who have never stepped inside a court. I, on the other hand, was there several times a week shadowing barristers and holding clients’ hands. There are lots of things about courts that are intimidating, of course, but for me this will never include the building, the timings, the court staff or the other lawyers. I feel I belong there as much as anyone else. I’ve seen enough judges in action to know they are also humans, and that in fact the best ones are the ones that are the most human. Take every opportunity to go.

2. I met whole sections of society that I didn’t really know existed up to then. I remember being taken out to dinner by a commercial property client whose wife was literally dripping in diamonds, and the next day taking instructions from a teen mum who was likely to have her third child taken into care. I learned so much about people – that not everyone comes from a home with hot water and love and homemade cake and humour in constant supply. In almost all jobs in law, you need to be able to relate, understand and appeal to all sorts of people – not just the ones who are like you. Yes, I do realise this article is at risk of turning into a Rudyard Kipling poem.

3. There was no time for me to undertake tasks for training purposes – I undertook tasks because everyone was busy and I had to assist. This not only gave me a sense of purpose and of being valued, but it also meant I understood what ‘being busy’ looked like. It took time, but from there I was eventually able to become efficient and productive and good at managing my time.

4. On a similar point, I learned quickly that I had to do things in the time allowed rather than doing things perfectly. On balance I think this is a good thing, and something I have certainly come to accept.

5. I got a good grounding in many different areas of law – and while I don’t really understand the SQE route yet, I think it would be a shame to lose that. I know how the Land Registry works inside out, for example, and this comes up in so many different practice areas.

6. I had to go to the CAB most weeks and see whoever came off the street for legal advice. Sorry, I know it is a pain, but I wholeheartedly recommend this type of work for young lawyers. You learn to be confident: in thinking on your feet, in knowing when someone is wasting your time, in seeing the wood for the trees in a long involved tale, in listening and empathising, and in saying ‘I don’t know the answer but I will find out’.

7. For all but one short seat, I had my own room. Is there anything worse than dictating while your training principal is listening? I can’t even make a cup of tea successfully if my in-laws are watching me, let alone give legal advice in front of a senior partner. And yes, during that short seat he did pull me up on my grammar.

8. These sorts of things are at risk of being overlooked when you are young and eager, but the job was a 10-minute drive from my house and, when I was emotionally and physically wrung out, that meant a lot. As did the parking space. Sure, I would have got paid double at Clifford Chance, but I wouldn’t have been able to go home for a nap at lunchtime. (Also, why was I so tired? Young people are pathetic.)

9. Because it was a small firm, I was seen and heard and involved. I knew that the landlord was being funny about the rent in the financial crash, and billed a bit harder. I was given tasks like organising parties and taking old monitors to the dump. It felt like my firm as much as anyone else’s.  

I suppose my conclusion is that I don’t think there is any training contract as well rounded as one in a high street firm. If you have had a burning desire since childhood to practise shipping law then maybe a high street training contract isn’t right for you. But don’t dismiss the small firm: if I was looking to recruit someone now I would judge them on their actual experience and not the name of the firm they trained at.

*Some facts and identities have been altered in the above article