I always wanted to be a Solicitor. I knew it would be challenging, would allow me to meet new people and that no two days would be the same.
I completed my degree and LLB at the University of Stirling, and applied to Thorntons as they have a good reputation and offer a varied Traineeship. The Traineeship allows you to experience different seats in different offices, and the firm tries to take interests and preferences into consideration when allocating seats. I am currently working in Personal Injury and will be moving to Business Law in the New Year.
I have enjoyed the responsibility given to me as a first year trainee. Being given my own clients and own files to work on from the outset made me feel part of the team.
Support and training is available on an ongoing basis and there is always someone around to help, whether this is a training Partner, HR and Learning and Development or other solicitors, everyone is very approachable.
After finishing my Diploma in Legal Practice I was still undecided about which legal area I wanted to practice in. It was therefore important to me that I chose a firm which offered a variety of experience throughout the traineeship.
I was also keen to choose a firm where I could get high quality training in a supportive environment, and a firm which emphasised work-life balance. Thorntons ticked all these boxes, and I was further encouraged by the fact that I heard only positive things about the firm every time I mentioned I was applying for a traineeship here.
I am currently working in Commercial Property and have been given a wide variety of work. I was surprised and pleased by the kinds of tasks I have been given, and by the fact that I have some of my own files and have been able to work on some transactions from start to finish.
Trainees are also supported in meeting the TCPD elements of the traineeship, and are encouraged to attend internal seminars and training sessions.
I also like the firm's social side and I am often invited to events, lunches and nights out.
Thorntons provides a wide range of experience for trainees as a full service firm. No two seats are the same and this makes for an excellent grounding.
I am currently working in Private Client and am dealing with a wide range of work including Executries, Trusts and drafting Wills and Powers of Attorney.
The support offered by the firm is very good. Trainees receive an in depth induction, then have regular meetings with their training partner to discuss any issues, which is extremely useful. We are all given a mentor (another member of staff) who we can meet with at any time to talk through any problems or to ask any questions we may have.
When looking for a traineeship I knew I wanted it to be varied. Thorntons provides an excellent opportunity to be involved with so many different areas of the legal profession, the big appeal for me was that the firm was "full service". I knew my traineeship would be varied, being split over four "seats" in different departments as well as locations. The traineeship at Thorntons allows for a well rounded traineeship with exposure to a number of areas of the profession, and in turn, it allows you to work with people who are specialists in those particular areas.
I have completed seats in Private Client, Personal Injury/Court of Session and Commercial Litigation. My workload in all seats has been varied and I have been provided with responsibility and made to feel like an important part of each team from day one.
Thorntons offer an excellent support system. The staff are extremely helpful and answer any questions you may have, whether it is your training partner, secretaries, or assistants, everyone has a wealth of knowledge and are only more than willing to share it.