ADD ADVICE TO FAVBriony, Trainee Solicitor, media law firm
Name: Briony
Degree: Philosophy and Theology, 2.2 Oxford University
Other qualifications: Postgraduate Diploma in Law, Legal Practitioners Course
Current job: Trainee Solicitor
1. What does your current job involve? Describe a typical day at work.
Undertaking legal research for solicitors – usually using online sources – and writing a summary report.
Analysing contracts and the clauses contained to ascertain which clause is relevant to the client’s commercial problems, for example breach of a payment or delivery provision.
Proofreading documents to spot errors, cross checking references and ensuring all amendments have been correctly inserted.
Undertaking searches for companies and properties, to ascertain the corporate structure or legal status of a property.
2. What other jobs have you had since graduating (including any others with your current employer)?
None.
3. What do you like most about your current job?
The client contact and being part of a team of solicitors.
’Good communication, accuracy and attention to detail are the most important skills.’
4. What do you like least about your current job?
The long hours.
5. What are the most important skills required to do your job?
Good communication, accuracy and attention to detail.
6. What made you choose this career path?
I had a good academic background and wanted to be challenged in my job and have contact with people on a regular basis.
7. What did you want to be when you were 12?
A vet
8. What is your long-term career goal?
To settle in a firm of solicitors and progress as high as possible within that firm, while still ensuring a good work/life balance.
’Think about the culture of a firm that you want to work at by talking to current employees and doing research about the firm’s values.’
9. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Photocopying. Within my current role you can spend long hours on what are essentially administrative tasks. This is to be expected at some point during the start of your career, but can be difficult to deal with immediately after academic studies, where you are used to being challenged while continuously leaning.
10. What one tip would you give to someone currently at university wanting to pursue the same sort of career as you?
Think about the culture of a firm that you want to work at by talking to current employees and doing research about the firm’s values and general hours that are expected.
