Lessons from my First Year as a Trainee Solicitor

Blog by Eve Halliday, Trainee Solicitor at Oliver & Co Solicitors

I started my two-year Training Contract with Oliver & Co Solicitors in April 2023. Having just embarked on the second half of my training contract and as I progress towards qualification, I have begun to reflect on the lessons learnt and experience gained. The past 13 months have undoubtedly been an invaluable learning period. Here are five lessons that I have learnt along the way:

1. The importance of organisation
   Maintaining an organised approach is imperative. As a trainee solicitor and once you have qualified, being able to efficiently manage multiple cases, adhere to deadlines and file documents away properly is crucial. Honing these skills early on will enhance your efficiency and productivity. The key is to find what method works best for you, whether this be to do lists or diary entries.
2. Go above and beyond
   A job done is never the completion of the task in front of you. Going that step further and being proactive in your work will reap growth and undoubtedly broaden your knowledge. Anticipate the next steps, do some additional reading, find a webinar to watch and ask questions, it will make you an all-round better solicitor and show your interest.
3. Do not be scared of making mistakes
   Mistakes are inevitable, especially when you are learning and in the early stages of your legal career. No one will expect you to get everything right, especially as most tasks you will be tackling for the first time. Make sure that you are communicating with the people around you and speak up if you are unsure, don’t be afraid to ask questions! At Oliver & Co, everyone has carved out time to teach me how to do things properly and they really do put time and effort into their trainees. Make the mistakes whilst you can and learn from them, there is always a valuable lesson to be learnt!
4. Value of feedback and self-improvement
   The support that I have been given from my training supervisors in each department has been second to none. Not only are they experts in their respective fields, but they are always approachable to answer any questions and provide feedback on how to improve. Constructive feedback is a powerful tool for growth. It is vital that you are able to take any advice you are given onboard and learn from the feedback you are given.
5. Enjoy yourself!
   A training contract is packed full of new and exciting experiences. It is a big learning curve where they will inevitably be tough days, but it is important to step back and look at the bigger picture. Make sure to take every opportunity available to you and step outside of your comfort zone, whether this be playing an active part in firm committees or attending networking events. They all shape you into a better solicitor and you never know what you will learn or who you will meet!