Hello, I’m Martha and I am currently 7 months into my SQE Graduate Apprenticeship at Bridge McFarland LLP. I am currently training in our Family Services department, which deals in Childcare and Family Law.
In this article I endeavour to bring you a realistic day in the life of a trainee solicitor that reflects the day-to-day rewards and challenges of the role. I hope you find it interesting and educational, and that it encourages you to make an application for training contract at Bridge McFarland.
0730 This morning, I am heading to our Louth Office. Solicitors and trainees in the Family Services department regularly travel to different offices for appointments and court hearings, so the early starts are inevitable. However, the travel has meant I have had the privilege of meeting a wide range of clients and colleagues from all of our different offices, and it has presented the opportunity of attending court frequently.
0845 I arrive at Louth Office, get myself settled down at my desk and get cracking.
0900 The average morning would usually begin with me checking my emails, responding to clients, and catching up with my colleagues in Louth. I personally like to start my day by assessing what I need to deal with throughout the day, consider anything that needs to be revisited on a fresh head and have a mini-brief with my supervisor/s about the tasks I have been delegated. As we time-record in the family team, it always makes the day flow well if my time is planned in advance.
0930 I have received an email with a client’s financial disclosure. When we are dealing with the financials of any divorce, both parties are expected to provide a full and frank financial disclosure. My first task of the day is to take a look at what our client has provided. Is anything missing? I establish their capital and liabilities and input the information into ES2.
1000 Our first client arrives. My supervisors are always willing to let me sit in on their appointments, and I write up the attendance note afterwards. The appointments with clients are always unique, and we deal with a wide range of pre-marital, child arrangement and divorce issues. It’s always a pleasure to meet a client for the first time, listen to their concerns, and provide them with the advice they need to move forward.
1100 I’ll usually write up the attendance note immediately after the appointment to avoid forgetting anything. This also means that it is ready for my supervisor as soon as they begin work on the file, which is usually shortly after.
1110 As I am writing up my attendance note, I get a call from our switchboard team with an initial enquiry. I take some time to have a chat with this potential client about our solicitors and prices.
1130 I revisit our client’s financial disclosure and notice that the client has forgotten to include an asset that was discussed in the initial appointment, so I draft up an email to go to them and send it to my supervisor for approval.
1145 My first chunky task of the day; a letter of proposals to the other side. I have been involved with this client since their initial appointment and after some negotiations between solicitors, the client is ready for us to put our proposals to the other side. It’s a long-winded task last that requires good knowledge of the case. I refresh myself on the case and find some previous examples to guide me.
1230 I have made good headway with my proposal letter so it’s now time to break for lunch. We get an hour lunch break so always try and have a walk around outside for some fresh air.
1330 I have received an urgent message from a client over lunch. I take the opportunity to call the client and discuss matters. I follow this up with a quick attendance note of the call and forward a copy to my supervisor.
1400 I now have the chance to finish up my proposal letter. Once the first draft is done, I always like to plan in some time to review it the following day on a fresh head.
1500 Now moving on to some children matters. I am tasked with completing a C100 and a C1A, which are court documents required to progress this matter. I have good knowledge of these documents already, so I don’t need to do any research on this occasion. I refresh myself with what the client is looking to achieve and sift through the file searching for relevant information for the form.
1600-1700 As the day rolls around to an end, I take the opportunity to see how some of the files I have been involved with are progressing and what work my supervisors have been undertaking. As trainees regularly dip in and out of files, it’s useful to monitor what work has been undertaken to progress the matter in preparation for having my own files one day. I also update my diary with what work I need to undertake tomorrow.
1700 It’s important to leave as close to 5pm as you can as a Trainee, as studying will often feature in an evening. We have one dedicated study day per week, but most of the trainees agree that the amount of work that needs to be covered cannot usually be completed in one day. Occasionally late nights cannot be helped, but Bridge McFarland promote a good work-life balance for trainees
