Trainee Testimonial

David Bondt:
Newly qualified September 2011 in Commercial Litigation

Like most new trainees, I approached the beginning of my training contract with trepidation. How will I cope making the jump from the LPC to real life work? How will I get along with my new colleagues? What will my hours be like and will I have a social life outside of work?

Thankfully, from day one at JMW I realised that I was lucky enough to be joining a firm that offered good training and support for its trainees, where a warm but professional atmosphere exists between staff and a firm that supports its employee’s growth and development as they make the transition from student to solicitor.

I joined the clinical negligence department for my first of four seats as a trainee and this was a fantastic opportunity to see how a department which is ranked number one in the region worked. Sharing an office with a partner and head of department was a real ‘eye opener’ as I learnt how to deal with complex and sometimes emotional issues in a manner expected of a solicitor.

My role as a trainee in clinical negligence mostly evolved around providing support for the other fee earners although at the same time I had plenty of responsibility. From day one I was asked to take detailed file notes, drafted witness statements and to conduct my own meetings with clients. 

I then moved to a seat with the intellectual property department which gave me the opportunity to get involved in a completely different area of the law. I had my own case load and had to liaise closely with clients, learn how to deal with difficult opponents and take day to day charge of my own files. I also had the opportunity to help with some sports law, including meeting professional footballers and being involved in complex sport related cases. This was definitely an amazing opportunity for a football mad guy like me and I loved every minute of it!

My third seat rotation saw me join the corporate department where I got involved in company acquisitions and had day to day tasks such as company formations, looking after company books and drafting commercial agreements.

For my final training seat, I joined the commercial litigation department was straight away involved in a multimillion pound shareholder dispute. My first specific job was to help organise service of a freezing order on various banks in order to prevent a defendant against whom we had successfully obtained judgment, dissipating his assets . I was also given responsibility for other tasks such as drafting witness statements, sorting through numerous disclosure bundles, drafting instructions to Counsel and liaising with clients. I also had the unique opportunity to experience a fast moving dispute over the ownership of a company which involved an injunction, an all-day mediation and a trial, all within a few weeks. I was lucky enough to be offered to join this department on qualification in September 2011 and now feel like an integral member of the team.

One thing I really appreciated about being a trainee at JMW was how well structured my training was. I had regular reviews with supervisors who were always on hand to provide constructive help and guidance whilst at the same time all the trainees got on really well together and we became a close group of friends.

I feel fortunate having been a trainee at JMW. It’s a growing firm that looks after its employees and offers very well structured and professional training for aspiring solicitors.

Jessica Mistry:
Newly qualified September 2009 in Employment

My first impression of JMW was that I could see myself easily fitting in. I was impressed with JMW's vision and goals and I felt that my own aspirations and career ambitions would be well nurtured working for the firm. It was evident from my first interview that JMW had an obvious desire for growth as well as being a welcoming and friendly firm. I was informed in my interview that if I was successful in my application for a training contract, I would be joining the firm at an exciting time where many plans for expansion were on the horizon. Since joining JMW, it has done exactly that and the past two years have seen JMW grow rapidly.

My two year training contract with JMW consisted of four seats in the following departments:-

• Family and Private client
• Insurance Litigation
• Employment
• Corporate

During my training contact I was given responsibility from day one. This ranged from running a simple divorce case in my Family seat, having responsibility of running my own caseload of around sixty files in my Insurance Litigation seat through to attending an Employment Tribunal hearing on a whistle blowing and constructive dismissal case in my Employment seat and assisting in the incorporation of JMW from a partnership to LLP status in my Corporate seat.

Throughout my seats, I have had a great deal of client contact and have not just been involved in the ‘behind the scenes' work. At JMW, you are encouraged to cement client relationships by thinking outside of the box in a commercial context, beyond the legal realm and understanding the client's objectives and the markets in which they operate in. All the departments within the firm are partner led which lends itself to JMW's uncompromising commitment to quality in the work produced for clients. The training supervisors are all partners and I have had the opportunity of working alongside some very inspiring and excellent lawyers. This has enhanced my training experience as I have been trained by partners who are recognised for what they do in their field.

For the duration of my training contract, there has been a strong support network in place and I never felt like I was thrown in at the deep end. There is always someone to go to with any queries, and everyone is always happy to help, regardless of their position within the firm. It is because of the strong support network that the daunting jump from a trainee to a newly qualified solicitor has been seamless. I can confidently say that the people at JMW are approachable and friendly and always have time for you. JMW is also a very sociable firm so there are many opportunities to get to know partners and people from other departments on nights out.

To summarise my trainee experience at JMW, I would say that you get out of it what you put in, there are no limits and the opportunities are always there to stand out and to thrive.

Louise Shepherd:
Second year trainee - newly qualified from September 2008 in Commercial Litigation

Now I am approaching the end of my training contract (two years), I am amazed how quickly the time has flown and can take this opportunity to reflect on my experiences, the skills I have acquired, and the challenges I have faced.

My first seat was in Corporate where my individual duties ranged from the formation of new companies, managing companies' statutory books, drafting commercial agreements bespoke to the client's instructions and conducting due diligence in the sale of a successful company.  I also assisted in the negotiation of agreement terms in an all-day completion meeting and in the advising of clients on general company matters.  

From day one of my second seat in Insurance Litigation, I was given responsibility to run my own caseload and to liaise with clients, opponents and other professional bodies on a daily basis.  I was also given opportunity to improve upon my advocacy skills by conducting a case management conference and a small claims hearing on my own.  In addition, I learnt very quickly how to judge the value of general damages in a claim for personal injury, how to determine and advise the client on the strengths and weaknesses of their case and how to meet the client's expectations.  This seat equipped me with the essential skills required for professionally and efficiently running a case of any value from start to finish. 

My third seat in Commercial Litigation allowed me to get involved with all sorts of commercial disputes ranging from debt collection matters and simple contractual disputes to more complex litigious matters.  In the more complex cases I assisted in, I was responsible for taking witness statements, carrying out legal research, drafting instructions to Counsel and communicating with various parties to progress matters. On the smaller value cases, I was responsible for the day-to-day conduct which included taking instructions from the client at an initial interview, advising the client, discussing potential settlement options as the case develops and preparing the case through to a final hearing.  During this seat I was fortunate enough to attend a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in connection with a judicial review of a planning application in a commercial property matter which I found a thoroughly unique and interesting experience. 

The final six months of my training has been split into two three month seats and I have spent the first part in Commercial Property.  During this time, I have attended site inspection meetings in connection with the planning and development of both retail and mixed use schemes and have reviewed the leases and plans relating to these sites.   Independently I have been responsible for carrying out legal research of complex property issues and summarising leases for clients, councils and other legal bodies. In a short space of time I have learnt about the many different aspects of a commercial property matter from the acquisition of land and the obtaining of the necessary planning approvals to the subsequent stages of construction and the negotiation of lease terms. 

I am now reaching the end of my three months with the Intellectual Property team where I have enjoyed being actively involved in a diverse range of work including a passing off and trade mark infringement case which settled in the late stages of a mediation meeting.  I have also assisted in advising clients in respect of protecting their IP rights and drafted documents such as non-disclosure and license agreements for the purpose of maintaining this protection.  Throughout my seat I have also assisted a major international client in an anti-counterfeiting campaign.

Training at JMW is structured and in each of my seats I have been given regular feedback from my supervisors and colleagues in respect of my continuing progress.   The supervisors are very approachable and are always more than happy to answer questions and offer advice.

Whilst JMW expect their trainees to work hard, they encourage us to have a good work home-life balance.  There are plenty of social nights organised by trainees throughout the year and it is very easy to form good friendships.    

As a trainee at JMW, I feel privileged to be a part of a professional and friendly firm and have thoroughly benefitted from the wonderful experience of being a trainee.