Trainee testimonial
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.
