1. WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS FIRM?

The firm’s reputation, its client base and its location.

2. What areas have you worked in?

Real Estate, Agriculture and Property Disputes and Corporate and Financial Institutions.

3. What type of work have you done in each of these areas?

Real Estate: carried out lease reviews, drafted security documents, carried out searches and enquiries, put together auction packs, and made stamp duty returns.

Agriculture and Property Disputes: attended client meetings, pursuing possession proceedings on behalf of a lender, attended a tri-partite mediation, drafted witness statements and statements of case, and carried out research.

Corporate: drafted Articles of Association, documents for Companies house, carrying out due diligence, helping co-ordinate cross-border due diligence for a windfarm purchase, work on acquisitions and post-completion matters.

4. What clients have you done work for?

A range of individuals and companies including Orange, Nationwide, RBS, Lloyds, St Modwen, FirstGroup, The Crown Estate, MAPFRE and Insure & Go.

5. Have you had much client contact?

Yes, but the amount varies from seat to seat as it is usually dependant upon the nature of the work. As a result I had more client contact during my Real Estate and Agriculture and Property Disputes seat than I have done in my time in CFI.

6. Have you been given much responsibility?

Yes, particularly in Real Estate and Agriculture and Property Disputes, where you are often given your own files to run with supervision when required.

7. What type of training have you undertaken at the firm?

Aside from the Professional Skills Course each department runs regular training for trainees, for junior lawyers and general updates for all staff. Whilst I was in Real Estate there were a number of sessions run jointly by Real Estate and Banking that related to Insolvency which were particularly useful.

8. What hours do you generally work? What is expected?

I usually do an 8am to 6 - 6.30pm day. Occasionally if a deal is nearing completion it will be later than that but the culture here is that you should only be staying at work when you need to.

9. How have you received feedback about your performance?

There are mid-seat and end of seat reviews which means that every two months you will have detailed feedback on what you have done with your supervisor. Aside from that the qualified solicitors are generally very good on giving you constructive feedback on work that you do from them.

10. How would you describe the culture and working environment within the firm?

Friendly and highly collaborative. As a trainee there is an excellent support network and lawyers of all levels are happy to discuss any questions you have.

11. What do you like most about working for the firm?

The mixture of excellent work, friendly and supportive colleagues and the work-life balance.

12. What tips would you give to someone applying to your firm?

Spend time researching the firm, its clients and its culture and be enthusiastic throughout the process.