Aksa - Trainee Solicitor

University attended: University of Leeds
Degree qualification and year of graduation: Law (LLB), graduated in 2022.

I chose Addleshaw Goddard primarily because of the quality of work, and the great culture. From my vacation scheme, I could tell that the firm focused on employing people who were personable and able to be themselves. This was very important to me as I wanted to be somewhere where I could work hard, and also have an enjoyable experience. During the application cycle, I attended one of AG's Ethnicity.Talent.Law events, which showed me the firm's forward-thinking and proactive approach to diversity and inclusion. It was clear that the firm wanted its employees to embrace, celebrate, and share their differences.

The best parts of the job, in my opinion, are getting involved in big projects and seeing all the parts come together. For me, it is when everything 'clicks' at the end, and I can see the bigger picture, e.g., why X document was important for X reason. For example, I enjoy reviewing large numbers of documents, making connections between various bits of information, and then translating those findings into an advice note for the client. I enjoy working with my colleagues and thinking about solutions to problems. One of the downsides for me is when there are multiple conflicting deadlines that I need to meet. This can be a pressurising situation but can be dealt with through organisation and delegating where necessary. Even in difficult times, I have found that the team pulls together to get to the end point.

In terms of day-to-day life as a trainee, each day is different! I have been involved in many tasks, including: drafting documents; undertaking legal research; managing cases; and reviewing documents. As a trainee, I feel incredibly valuable in each of my seats, and I can see the direct impact of the work that I do. Every day is a learning today, which keeps things interesting. As I have developed through my training contract, I have noticed that I am more able to prepare for the next steps of a transaction and take independent action.

I have received a good amount of high-quality training since I have been at the firm. When it comes to changing seats, trainees receive seat-specific training. Throughout the seat, we also have more specific and tailored training. For instance, when I started my seat in Construction & Engineering Disputes, construction training was delivered by people in the team, focusing on the key statutes and work that trainees are involved with. During my seat, I attended various virtual litigation training sessions, including sessions on bundling and disclosure. We also have monthly training sessions, where we discuss key cases in the litigation world. Trainee development is ongoing, and each team makes sure that its trainees are equipped with the information / skills that they need to excel in the seat.

I am involved in the AG Embrace network, which is a group that focuses on ethnicity and inclusion. As a South Asian trainee, this network has been very significant as it is a place for members of the firm to come together to have meaningful conversations about race, difference, and culture. The network is open to everyone at the firm, so it is a great way for colleagues to find out more about other colleagues. For instance, the firm hosts an annual event for South Asian Heritage Month and Black History Month, where colleagues come together to explore cuisine, music, culture etc.

Overall, I believe AG is a fantastic place to work as every single person genuinely wants the best for you and your career development. The firm has excellent clients, and this is reflected in the work that it gets.