With the upcoming ‘super exam’ set to be approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, a solicitor’s journey to a training contract is an evolving and a widely discussed topic.
For me, following completion of the Legal Practice Couse, I started working for B P Collins as a paralegal in the Dispute Resolution practice group in January 2018.
“Paralegals are often described as lawyers’ assistants and their work can be similar to that of a trainee depending on their experience.”
The tasks delegated to me by fee earners ranged from administrative tasks such as filing and billing to document review, research and drafting legal documents such as protocol letters, statements of case and instructions to counsel.
Being a paralegal is an increasingly common way for firms and potential trainees to begin their relationship. It was both an enjoyable and pragmatic method of seeing whether B P Collins was right for me and, likewise, if I was right for B P Collins. I was able to learn about the firm, its clients and how to deliver the high standard of service B P Collins is renowned for.
I then applied for a training contract and was later invited to the assessment day, where various skills –presentation, negotiation and communication – were tested and analysed though a series of individual and group tasks.
“It was clear that the firm wanted me to show my commitment to the firm and its values; having been a paralegal for almost 18 months at the time, I was able to demonstrate this.”
I was delighted to be offered my training contract and I started my first seat in the Property practice group in July 2019.
Posted by Simon Read
The Insider 