Meg Gardiner, Sidley Austin

Meg Gardiner is a trainee solicitor with Sidley Austin LLP, in the commercial law seat of her training contract. She graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in music.

Working hours at a City law firm

City law firms have a reputation for high quality deals and long hours and I was fully prepared for this when starting. Work at my firm typically begins at 9.30 am and when deadlines approach late nights at work are often necessary. Once a transaction is closed, things are less intense, and I usually leave at 7.00 pm. Trainees are given varied tasks to complete, from researching points of law for more senior lawyers to filing documents at Companies House. On a previous seat on my training contract I became an expert at drafting compromise agreements!

Training within the commercial law team

In my current seat (commercial law) I speak to clients on a daily basis. I have found that the corporate department has a close and often long-term relationship with clients, allowing you to build a rapport.

Interview advice for future trainee solicitors

Applicants should read up on the work their interviewers at the law firm have covered recently. It is important to show an interest in what you will be doing on the training contract.

The skills that make a good lawyer

To be a successful lawyer you have to be organised – planning your time and keeping up to date with developments. Once you get used to this you can be better prepared for whatever arises, as well as becoming more adept at retaining information for this purpose. Patience is a useful skill as a trainee solicitor. When you are inexperienced you have plenty of questions, but in a busy working environment you have to pick your moments – colleagues are happy to help and advise when they don’t have to rush an answer.