You’ll be trusted very early on and give legal advice. Of course, the advice will have been reviewed by a qualified solicitor, but you’re the one that will think about and formulate it. As time goes on, you’ll be trusted to do more and more without supervision – you’ll get a feel for what you can and can’t do.
Strange tasks are an unspoken trainee initiation.
One day you might be running along the streets of Edinburgh, painting under your arm, trying to drop it to an office before they close. The next you might be sent to Schuh to purchase Court-appropriate footwear as the Solicitor appearing forgot theirs!
Clients can be demanding sometimes. It’s our job to help people navigate their way through (often) stressful legal situations. Don’t take it personally if they take it out on you or tell you “You’re just a trainee.”
Don’t even think about taking your wallet, or purse, out when in the company of qualified solicitors. Ok, this one might be specific to Aberdein Considine, but I would say this stands true for most firms out there. You’ll pay it back to other future trainees!
Everyone has an area they excel in and an area they don’t.
Sometimes, the area you love isn’t necessarily the one you are best at, and vice versa. It’s about learning what you think you can see yourself doing long-term. And don’t forget there is always scope to try new areas, even once you’re qualified.
“It’s the principle” costs people a lot of money.
It’s a very common phrase, especially in litigation, and one that can cross a dangerous line into folly very quickly.
Mistakes will be made. It’s human nature to make them but make sure to tell someone when you do. It’s better to solve them early on than let them fester. Everything is fixable and your colleagues are there to help!
The long hours. Probably something you will have heard before, but I can’t reiterate it strongly enough. There are some periods where you will have to work late nights, and weekends, but what you put in is what you get out.
Imposter syndrome is very real. You’ll more than likely question how you got the traineeship and question your abilities. I’m told by very senior solicitors that this never really goes away. You just need to remind yourself that you didn’t get where you are for no reason.
