What our Trainees say - Solicitors in Exeter, Devon

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What our Trainees say  

Here you will find some quotes from our Trainees as to their thoughts on working for Stones as they progress through their training contracts within the Firm.  As each trainee moves to a new seat they will provide their own thoughts on their progress.

Tom Sampford

First Seat - PI Travel - February 2009

"During my time in Travel PI I have had the opportunity to work on numerous files and I am pleased with the development I have made.   One of the things that I have particularly enjoyed is the diversity of the work that I have been able to undertake."

Second Seat - Litigation - August 2009

"My current seat is Commercial Litigation and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I was immediately encouraged to play an active role in files and this has enabled me to experience many different aspects of Litigation. I have attended court for a number of hearings, I have attended conferences with Counsel and meetings with clients. I have been involved in without prejudice negotiations on large disputes and prepared witness statements and other court documents on large cases."

Joanna Webb

First Seat - Family - February 2009

"Family has been an excellent department in which to begin my time at Stones and given that it is such a large area of the law has meant that there have been plenty of opportunities to stretch and develop my legal knowledge and experience"

Second Seat - Wills Trusts & Probate - August 2009

"I have enjoyed having my own caseload to work on, seeing some matters through from start to finish during my time in the department.  The balance between desk-based tasks and client contact has been great.  Although Trust and Probate is a busy area of law I have found that it is possible to structure my time quite well.  That said, each day gives rise to plenty of new challenges and it is essential to be flexible and organised!"

Nicola Janus-Harris

First Seat - Commercial Property - February 2009

"Commercial Property really surprised me as I thought it would be a fairly routine area of work but actually it is really varied.   I have been fortunate to have a supervisor who is very approachable and who takes a real interest in my training."

Second Seat - Family Team - August 2009

"Each day is so different and matters can move so quickly so you have to be able to respond to situations on short notice. A typical day will involve telephoning clients to give them updates on their cases, drafting applications and supporting statements and meeting with new clients to take initial instructions. I particularly enjoy the opportunity of attending court applications and hearings"

Ian Brown

Third Seat - P.I Travel - September 2008

"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."

Polly Foster

Third Seat - Family - September 2008

"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."

Nicholas Hooper

Third Seat - Commercial Property - September 2008

"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."

Kate Scott

Third Seat - Defence Advocates - September 2008

"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."