Transitioning Between Seats

Having settled into the Private Client team, being supervised by the head of department Rebecca Farley along with the rest of the team, I have definitely noticed a difference in my ability to adapt to new surroundings.

When I moved into my second seat, it was like starting all over as a Trainee Solicitor! I knew one area of law and, in some ways, I knew how only my first supervisor, Cheryl Baxter, worked. You are always bound to pick up traits of those you work for, especially as you will find yourself drafting wording and documents that they will amend and present to clients or other solicitors. If you were to write entirely in your own voice, it would be difficult for the lawyer to then amend and present.

I remember in my first meeting with Tony Hunt, my supervisor during my Family seat, how he promised me he would do his best to make sure I didn’t end up being his “mini-me” and to help me develop my own voice. I didn’t fully understand just how important this was at the time, but it is something I am very thankful for. I found myself meshing different styles, influenced by my two supervisors, and starting to find my own voice and tone. I was happy to say that, outside of a few incidents of turning up in the same shirt, I felt I was able to incorporate ways in which Tony interacted with clients both face-to-face and in writing, along with things I had learned from Cheryl during my first seat.

That said, heading into my third seat and a new area of law again, was still daunting. I used a lot of what I learnt in my first transition to assist with this one. As a Trainee Solicitor, the main thing is to be a sponge, taking in everything, getting to know everyone, and listening as much as you can. The other top tip I would give to everyone is to ask questions. Never be afraid to ask anyone, whether it is a lawyer, paralegal or legal assistant for help or to explain something.

In those first couple weeks, no matter what seat number you are in, you are the new man or woman in the team. It can feel like an information overload at times but the easiest way to learn is to do. I used to feel a sense of almost failure when my work came back amended, but I have come to learn that it isn’t a bad thing as it helps you to learn. Feedback is essential and being able to see what improvements you can make will only make you better in the long run.

So, now I feel like I have my feet under me in my new seat. I am developing more skills and fine-tuning my voice to become the lawyer I want to be. There is no one way to act in the legal profession and everyone has their own unique approach. The way I see it, don’t be a mimic, be a thief. Take what you can from everyone you work with, and make it your own.

Meetings As A Trainee Solicitor

In my current seat in the Private Client team, I have also been given the opportunity to take the lead in a meeting with a Client, with my supervisor Rebecca there to assist. This was a great chance to apply the insights I’ve gained from being a fly on the wall in many meetings as a Trainee Solicitor, taking in lots of information, listening and learning.

What I have learned from these experiences is that it is important to be prepared, but also ready to react. When it comes to meeting with a Client for the first time, such as taking instructions on a new Will, there is only so much information you will get from the original instruction or correspondence.

The purpose of these meetings is to gather as much information as possible while providing guidance to the potential Client as much as possible. Trying to find a balance between taking in as much information and also advising is not easy and it is often easiest to judge the balance within the meeting.

Every client is different, and every client wants something slightly different from a lawyer or legal advisor. It is important to get a read of what the Client needs and present that way. Some will want to talk, to reminisce or to go into great detail to explain family history or the history of the matter, whilst some would rather ask more questions.

When taking instructions regarding a new Will, one of the best bits of advice I have been given as a Trainee Private Client Solicitor is that it is important to encourage the Client to open up. You will be drafting a document that determines how a life’s worth of assets will be dealt with so it is important to understand the person and their history. This can range from making sure to note all the names of their children and grandchildren, to understanding whether they have a collection of classic cars or a holiday home in France.

All of this information is necessary, as it helps to provide a picture of the Client’s wishes that you can then put into words for them. It is important to try and account for every eventuality, no matter how far off or unlikely they may seem and to have fallbacks should an intended beneficiary pass to ensure their shares or legacy do not fail unless that is the intent of the person whose Will it is.

In order to get this information it can sometimes be important to ask questions of the client, to make sure you have everything you need. Equally, it is important to portray confidence and knowledge, to make sure that your clients know they will get a good service.

One final thing that I was glad to know when it came to taking the lead in a meeting is that it’s okay not to know something. You do not have to have the answer to every question instantly, and it is absolutely okay to say you will take a question away, research it and provide an answer at a later time.

So in a nutshell, when you get a chance to lead a meeting, be confident, be calm and be ready to adapt to the client. There is no one way to run a meeting, so keep calm and carry on.

Till next time!