“Closer to My Goals Every Day”: An Interview with Trainee Solicitor Simranjeet

Hi Simranjeet. Please introduce yourself and share a little about your current stage in the legal journey.

My name is Simranjeet. I am a trainee solicitor at a UK Top 20 law firm and I am currently in my fourth seat. I studied my undergraduate degree at the University of Bristol. Outside work, I create content about careers, productivity, culture and important issues through my social media platforms and on YouTube.

When and why did you decide to pursue a career in law?

I first came across law as a teenager while watching a Bollywood movie. I liked how the barrister presented arguments using past fact finding and evidence. I also enjoyed essay subjects such as History and English where I used facts and literature to answer exam questions.

How did you find the transition from studying law to beginning the LPC?

There was a year between finishing my law degree and starting the LPC because I worked as a paralegal and secured my training contract during that time. I enjoyed the LPC more than my degree because it was practical. However, the content was excessive and fast paced. Every week we moved on to new topics, whereas during my degree we had more time to understand each subject. Even so, the LPC provided a strong summary and prepared me well for my training contract.

How did you prepare for securing a training contract?

I researched firms extensively using every resource available. It is important to remember that the firm should be a good fit for you, just as much as you should be for them. I looked closely at practice areas and firm ethos.

After rejections, I tried to understand my weaknesses and what I was doing wrong. I self reviewed my applications and changed my approach. I also kept an informal commercial awareness journal to track important topics and current affairs.

Out of the seats you have taken, which have you enjoyed most?

I have really enjoyed Commercial Law. It allows me to analyse relationships between parties, understand my client’s business and negotiate contracts on their behalf.

Did you envision yourself specialising in a particular area before working, and has this changed?

I thought Real Estate would be my calling because I worked as a paralegal in a real estate team and enjoyed studying it on the LPC. Commercial Law became a surprising favourite for me.

What has been your most challenging experience as a trainee so far?

My commercial secondment has been the most challenging. I was trusted to provide legal advice without supervision and respond to legal queries from members of the business. It was outside my comfort zone, but it gave me room to grow.

How do you cope with the rigours of working in a demanding firm?

Taking breaks when necessary is key. Without breaks, you risk burning out and not performing well. For me, breaks involve creative activities and having a hard stop after work and on weekends.

It is important to have a support system and know who you can talk to when you feel overwhelmed. I try to be honest about my capacity and availability so I can complete tasks to the best of my ability.

What does a typical day look like for you and what tasks are you usually assigned?

A typical day starts with checking my inbox and reviewing my to do list. I begin work based on the most urgent deadlines. Throughout the day, new tasks come in and I rearrange my list accordingly. When in the office, I have lunch with other trainees. After lunch, I continue working until the end of the day. My finishing time depends on whether tasks are complete and whether urgent matters arise.

Typical trainee tasks include:

• drafting correspondence, agreements and legal documents
• attending meetings with colleagues, clients or experts and taking notes
• progressing matters when colleagues are away, including sending chaser emails and diarising deadlines
• providing research notes on areas of law or client queries
• summarising current affairs and providing updates to the team

How would you describe the standard trainee at your firm?

The standard trainee should aim to possess the following traits:

• enthusiasm
• attention to detail
• hard-working attitude
• genuine interest in different areas of law
• approachability
• resilience
• determination

What advice would you give to individuals hoping to obtain a training contract but facing consistent rejections?

Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses as an applicant. Emphasise your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Sometimes you need an outside perspective, so ask friends or family to review an unsuccessful application.

Above all, keep going. Training contract processes are competitive and tough. You may feel the odds are against you, but by reflecting and improving, you get closer to securing a training contract.