Interview with Jasmine Cracknell, a trainee solicitor at Shoosmiths: Training Contracts, Secondments and Advice for Future Solicitors

Hi Jasmine, could you introduce yourself and explain your legal journey so far, and what attracted you to commercial law?

I am a second‑seat trainee at Shoosmiths in Leeds. My first seat was Property Litigation, which I really enjoyed, and I am now on secondment at ThoughtRiver, a legal technology company. I studied LLB Law and Legislative Studies at the University of Hull and completed the LPC with a master’s at ULAW in Leeds. Before starting my training contract, I worked at Citizens Advice advising on benefits and employment issues, and I also worked for an MP during my degree.

I was attracted to commercial law because I enjoyed contract law during my degree and found insolvency and competition law interesting during the LPC. I also enjoy working with people and collaborating on complex matters, which made commercial law a natural fit.

Deciding which firms to apply to can be difficult. How did you choose where to apply, and why Shoosmiths?

I struggled with this at first. I think there are 2 stages. First, decide the type of firm you want: high street, regional, national, international, niche, city or in‑house. Consider location, work‑life balance, team size and client type.

Then look at individual firms. Consider practice areas, sectors, CSR initiatives, culture and trainee structure. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination will also make in‑house training more accessible.

I chose Shoosmiths because the people were welcoming and supportive, the firm’s size offered high‑quality work with small teams, and the CSR work, especially around social mobility, really impressed me.

Do you have any advice on preparing for vacation scheme or training contract interviews?

Preparation is essential. Try to find out the interview format. Some interviews are competency-based; others include questions on the firm and the legal market. Prepare bullet‑pointed example responses rather than memorising answers. Practise with someone else.

For commercial questions, research the firm and build commercial awareness over time. Read the news or listen to business podcasts for 10 to 15 minutes daily. On the day, check the firm’s website and recent news.

Prepare genuine questions for the interviewer, ideally with follow‑up questions.

What has been the highlight of your training contract so far?

I do not have a single highlight. I have worked on many interesting matters. The moments that stand out are when I received strong feedback on challenging tasks. Each seat involves a steep learning curve, so positive feedback is a real confidence boost.

How are you finding your secondment, and would you recommend one to other trainees?

I am 5 months into my secondment, and it has gone quickly. My workload has increased, and I am more involved in the business. ThoughtRiver uses contract acceleration technology, so I use the platform to review procurement terms and NDAs and work with the product team to improve the tool. I now manage several processes independently.

I would definitely recommend a secondment. It gives insight into commercial law within a business and teaches you how different organisations assess risk. I have also gained valuable exposure to legal technology and its future role.

What do you think is the biggest opportunity and biggest challenge facing the legal sector?

It is hard to pinpoint one challenge. Agile and remote working have created divergent preferences across teams, making it difficult for firms to satisfy everyone.

Technology is another challenge, especially for smaller and mid‑sized firms. Tech must meet a specific client need, and economic pressures may require firms to invest more.

However, technology is also a major opportunity. Effective legal tech can reduce cost, increase accuracy and improve client satisfaction. Many firms, including Shoosmiths, now offer complementary non‑legal services to streamline client processes.

Finally, what is your one piece of advice for anyone applying for vacation schemes or training contracts?

Be resilient. Almost all trainees experience rejection. Reflect on your performance, ask for feedback and use it to improve your next application or interview. Persistence is essential.