A day in the life of a Trainee - Stones Solicitors

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A Day in the Life of a Trainee

Ian Brown - Travel Tourism & Insurance

Polly Foster - Family

Nicholas Hooper - Commercial Property

Kate Scott - Defence Advocacy

Ian Brown, Second Year Trainee

Current Seat - PI Travel

When I was first asked to write a script for a ‘day in the life of a Stones trainee', I laughed. To describe a day at Stones in generic terms does not do justice to the variety and diversity that a training contract here can offer.

If I had to pinpoint one aspect of Stones that I like the most, it would be the straightforward and honest attitude that permeates the firm. I know that should I ever have a concern with my training, I am able to approach the Partner who is responsible for the trainees. She trained here herself and knows the way the firm works and this allows me to discuss matters openly and frankly.

Following that straightforward approach a brief ‘cliché free' summary of my job and my thoughts is likely to give a better insight into life as a trainee here rather than a ‘diary entry' walk through of a typical day.

I am currently in my second seat in the PI Travel team, dealing with claims arising out of incidents which occur abroad. This is a very specialist area and as one of the leading firms in the country in this field we have many very big clients. This type of niche area in a full service firm is something that weighed heavily when I chose Stones over other training contract offers I received.

I work very closely with the Partner in charge of the team who is recognised as an expert in the field. I am given a good deal of responsibility in the day-to-day progress of files, but not in a way where I am totally ‘on my own'. I'm always able to consult with other members of the team for a second opinion or advice on how best to deal with issues that arise.

There is no set structure to a day and this is an example of the way that independent working and time management is encouraged here. The types of tasks I undertake are very varied and to reel off a list of these would not make for particularly interesting reading. The department is always busy and daily tasks never follow a set pattern - I can start to draft a lengthy statement or Instructions to Counsel and then a client will call to ask for an update. Flexibility is key and being able to prioritise is therefore an essential skill.

Stones consider their trainees very much as the future of the firm and that approach is reflected in the training. We are given responsibility and set challenging and varied work which allows us to improve and develop as future solicitors.

The office has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and a sense of humour is certainly a benefit. No-one takes themselves too seriously although we all realise the importance of doing our jobs well. This sort of balance is something that the firm strives to promote and makes for an efficient working environment.

It would not be realistic to say that Stones is for everyone, but it is the type of firm that suits someone who is ambitious and hardworking with a sense of humour and has the flexibility to find solutions to the daily challenges that are presented.

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Polly Foster, Second Year Trainee

Current Seat - Family

Since starting my Training Contract the work I have been involved with in both my first seat (Commercial Litigation) and my current seat has been diverse and challenging. I was immediately given my own work load and was made to feel a valuable part of the team.

I have found that everyone, from Partners to support staff, are incredibly welcoming and approachable and always find the time to assist with any queries.

In my Family seat I have had the opportunity of attending Court, practising my advocacy skills, sitting behind Counsel, attending HMPS Exeter and Bullingdon, meeting with clients face to face and conducting client interviews on my own.

I am now 10 months into my Training Contract and I have had the opportunity to run my own files under the support and supervision of a Partner. This has helped to build my confidence and will help to ensure that upon qualification I have had the experience of what it's like to be a ‘Solicitor' rather than simply what it is like to be a ‘Trainee'.

It is difficult to give a detailed, time-framed account of a day as a Trainee because each day is different, which is what makes the job interesting. However, as a basic overview of my working day, the morning is usually spent initially by managing my work load and deciding what needs to be prioritised throughout the day. I speak with my supervising Partner for a daily update on the cases that we are working on together and take any new instructions that he may have for me. The remainder of the morning is then spent on the telephone to clients, dealing with the day's post, responding to letters and dictating draft documents.

Lunchtime at Stones is a great opportunity for socialising, meeting with colleagues and catching up with other Trainees. I usually go for a drink (non-alcoholic obviously!) or sit by the Cathedral green if the sun is shining. I feel it is important to get out of the office and away from my desk to enable me to approach the afternoon efficiently.

The afternoons tend to be rather less frantic with telephone calls (bringing with it the inevitable interruptions) and this gives me the opportunity to get my teeth into things that are more time consuming, for instance, a piece of research or a detailed Brief to Counsel.

That said, an urgent Injunction or an emergency variation of a Residence Order is just as likely to crop up and I often then find myself over at the Court dealing with the same!

The Social Side of being a Trainee

Stones as a firm is very sociable and there are always activities/events to become involved in. I have recently participated in the Corporate Games netball tournament. Whilst we weren't the best team there on the day, we certainly embraced the ‘spirit' of the games and it was a trip down memory lane for the majority of players!

After work (usually on a Friday) the Trainees often get together with other colleagues from a range of departments, and head to the wine bar (ideally located just next door!) to unwind. This is also a great opportunity to meet Trainees from different Exeter firms.

You can't choose who you work with but I have already found that my fellow Trainees have become some of my closest friends - not to mention drinking buddies!

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Nicholas Hooper, Second Year Trainee

Current Seat - Commercial Property

At interview I liked the feel of Stones as a firm, for its size, the people and the type of work it undertakes. I felt it was a firm looking to the future so I was pleased to be offered a Training Contract. I am now in my second seat having enjoyed the international flavour of the PI Travel department in my first seat.

Below is an indication of a typical day for a trainee at Stones in the Commercial Property department.

Morning - I try to use the first hour of the day to review drafts and work in progress. My head is fresh and it helps me ensure the quality of my work before I pass it to my supervising Partner to discuss.

I assist with the day-to-day management of some of the larger Commercial clients and I therefore deal with a variety of different matters which arise on a daily basis. My work includes drafting leases, assisting with completions and speaking with clients/tenants who require up-dates on the progress of a file.

Lunch - I like to get out of the office during lunch and am fortunate to live near to the centre of Exeter so can go back to my apartment and cook. In the summer it is pleasant to walk around the shops or share lunch with the other Trainees on the cathedral green. Once or twice a week we have an LNTV seminar which Trainees are asked to attend and these cover all different areas of the law.

Afternoon - I use the afternoons for research and drafting. I deal with any pressing matter that has arisen and needs to be dealt with by the close of business - this can be quite challenging at times although I enjoy this aspect of my work. I also still have the opportunity to translate documents for the PI Travel team despite having moved seats and this is something I enjoy.

After Work - I play football for the firm in a team made up of colleagues from all different departments and I try to get involved in whatever other sport or social activity that may be on offer. I also sometimes go for drinks with people from the office.

There is a good variety of work and clients at Stones - a healthy firm whose size presents a great opportunity to be hands on. The work life balance is fair and allows you to enjoy Exeter, a city with a lot to offer.

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Kate Scott, Second Year Trainee

Current Seat - Defence Advocates

My day probably starts like everyone else's - checking emails and the diary to see what is scheduled for the day, however it is different in that those are not necessarily an indication of how the day is going to pan out.

The difference with working in criminal law is that it is unpredictable, every day really is very different. Like Marmite I guess you will either love it or hate it!

On the more routine side I will be answering phones, taking new enquiries from clients, checking Court and bail dates and making up files. However I found I was quickly given responsibility by my supervising Partner and I now have my own Crown Court case load which involves any number of different tasks including reading through the witness statements and evaluating the evidence, meeting with clients and taking their instructions, attending conferences with Counsel and clerking at the Crown Court.

I am a probationary Police Station Representative which means that I am able to advise clients at the Police Station. Clients go out and get themselves arrested at all times of the day and night which means that I can be in the office one minute and the next I am called to the Police Station to advise a client who has been arrested. In these circumstances I have genuine responsibility for the matter because what is said or not said at the police station will have a huge impact on the rest of the case.

This department is great if you don't want to be in the office all of the time and you like interacting with lots of different people.

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