A Day in the Life of a Newly Qualified Solicitor: An Interview with Saima Islam of Freeths LLP

A day in your life as a solicitor at Freeths LLP

I am a Solicitor within Freeths’ highly regarded Family Wealth Department and work with our Trusts, Estate and Tax team. I am based in the Oxford office, which gives rise to a real variety of work. I start my day at 9 am, and one of the first things I enjoy doing is prioritising which tasks and files need to be dealt with on that particular day. My list is updated throughout the day depending on deadlines and incoming emails from clients and other solicitors.

As a Newly Qualified Solicitor, I have my own case files, but I also assist other solicitors with their more technical matters. Organisation is an essential skill and is key to managing your own workload while keeping on top of the cases you are assisting with.

My day consists of attending to clients on the phone, via email and at meetings. Depending on the day, I will also have a catch‑up session with my supervising partner. These meetings vary: some focus on the files I am working on and my billing, while others focus on my development within the team and my professional progress. What I really appreciate about Freeths is the level of support I receive. As an NQ, taking on your own caseload can feel daunting, but I feel reassured knowing I am part of such a supportive team.

There are various networking events arranged for us to attend. Many involve meeting other professionals in the Oxford area, helping us grow our professional networks, while others are more department‑specific. The next event in my calendar is scheduled on 6 March in support of International Women’s Day and is led by our Networking Events for Women initiative, which we call NEW.

You completed a vacation scheme during your undergraduate degree and secured a training contract. What tips would you share with students in a similar position?

Undergraduate students need to start obtaining work experience as soon as possible. It is no myth that a training contract is hard to secure, but getting your foot in the door through a vacation scheme can really help build your experience.

I graduated from City, University of London in 2016. In my first year, I remember receiving emails from LawCareers about vacation scheme deadlines. At the time, I buried the information and focused on exams, but in my second year I realised that even without work experience, there was no harm in trying to get my profile out there. You do not lose anything by trying; in fact, you gain knowledge about how to improve your CV and develop your commercial awareness.

I applied for vacation schemes at several firms. I received rejections, but I also had a couple of firms showing interest. I completed a vacation scheme with Thomson Snell & Passmore during the summer before my third year.

Later in the year, I applied to Thomson Snell & Passmore for a training contract and was offered a position to start in September 2017. The feedback I received was that I made a strong impression and was remembered from the vacation scheme.

My top tips are:

• Send as many applications as you can. It is great experience to answer competency‑style questions. • Research the firm thoroughly and do not rely solely on the “About us” page. This helps you personalise your application. • Know why you are applying to that specific firm. This question will always arise in an interview. • Stay up to date with the news, but do not feel you need to know everything. • If your application is rejected, ask for feedback to improve your next one.

What was the most challenging moment of your training contract?

My training contract did not have one single challenging moment, but several that tested me.

One challenge is reaching the end of a seat just as you begin to feel confident in the area, only to move on. It can be difficult to reach a level of comfort in a practice area and then figuratively let the information go and start again. Although the process is tough, it becomes easier as you progress.

When I started my training contract in the family department at Thomson Snell & Passmore, I hit the ground running. There were bundles to prepare and court hearings to attend. For a first‑seat trainee, it can be challenging to learn how to manage your workload with numerous deadlines. My advice is not to worry, as prioritisation and organisation improve with practice. I recommend speaking to your supervisor ahead of any deadline if difficulties arise. It is better to be upfront than to be chased.

As an NQ solicitor, how has the transition been between trainee and qualified?

You leave work on a Friday evening as a trainee and start on Monday as a qualified solicitor. You tell me what has changed over the weekend.

I started at Freeths during a busy period and immediately got stuck into client files. I felt grateful for how far I had come and excited to continue as a qualified solicitor. That feeling helps you through the initial challenges, especially if you are starting at a new firm. Everyone was so welcoming that I now feel as though I have been in the department for years.

The main change is the increase in responsibility. I will always remember the first file opened in my own name. There is a real sense of accomplishment, and the team takes pride in my progress.

It is important to remember that even as an NQ, you are not expected to know everything. The title change can feel weighty, but you are there to learn. I thoroughly enjoy working with my supervisors, Grace and Louise, who have so much knowledge between them. It is a pleasure to seek advice and gain experience from them.

Even now it can feel surreal, and I occasionally feel nervous, but I remind myself to trust my training. There are many knowledgeable individuals in the team who I can turn to when faced with a challenging file.

What do you do for downtime to help maintain balance?

I enjoy running, swimming and cycling whenever I can. It gives me time to detach from what can be a busy personal and professional life.

I recently participated in the British Red Cross’ Miles for Refugees challenge in September 2019. The challenge involved choosing a distance to complete by running, swimming or cycling over a month. The distance reflects the journey a refugee might be forced to take to reach safety. I chose the distance between Calais and London, which is 108 miles, and successfully ran it with support from friends and family. The challenge ended with 276,043 miles logged nationwide and £366,420 raised.

I am also a keen reader and recently finished This Is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay, which covers snippets from his diary during his time working for the NHS. The book was brilliant and horrifying in equal measure. I recommend it if you are looking for something different to read.