A day in the life of Darren Moultrie, Trainee Solicitor, Addleshaw Goddard
2022, University of Stirling (LLB)
2024, University of Glasgow (LLM International Law and Security)
2025, University of Glasgow (Diploma in Legal Practice)
What is your role, when did you join the firm?
I joined Addleshaw Goddard in September 2024 as a trainee solicitor. I have now completed the first half of my training contract, having undertaken seats in non-contentious Construction and Engineering, and Planning and Infrastructure. I am about to start my third seat in Commercial.
What inspired you to apply to this law firm?
I was drawn to AG by its forward-thinking approach, especially its use of legal technology. Since applying for the training contract in 2023, I have seen the firm continue to grow and invest in new ideas and capabilities. That gave me confidence that AG was a place where I would be able to learn, develop and be part of a firm that is always looking to improve.
What does a typical workday look like?
A typical day as a trainee at Addleshaw Goddard starts around 9am with checking emails, Teams and my task list, and picking up any new instructions from my supervisor. Most of the day is spent on fee‑earning work, such as drafting documents, carrying out research, reviewing contracts or planning materials, and preparing documents for signing or submission. I join internal team meetings and client calls, and work with other trainees, associates and partners to progress matters and coordinate with different practice areas. Towards the end of the day, I update my supervisor, deal with any urgent client requests and complete my timesheets before logging off.
What are your working hours like?
My working hours during my traineeship so far have varied depending on the department and the demands of current matters. Overall, I have enjoyed a better work–life balance than I had anticipated before starting. As with any large law firm, there are times when longer hours are required, but in my experience, these are the exception rather than the rule.
What is the single most important thing you have learned so far as a trainee?
The single most important thing I have learned as a trainee is the power of relationships within the office and across the wider firm. Whether you are speaking to a partner, another trainee or the office cleaners, it is vital to be consistently friendly, respectful and compassionate. How you treat people, and the connections you build, shapes your reputation just as much as the quality of your work. Strong relationships make it easier to gain trust, access support, learn from others and be brought into more complex and interesting matters, and they underpin a positive, collaborative working environment.
What makes this law firm a great place to work?
Addleshaw Goddard is a great place to work because it offers high-quality client work, strong training and early responsibility. Trainees are trusted with meaningful work on complex matters for major clients, which accelerates their development. As a trainee, you are given clear supervision, structured training and regular feedback, so you feel both challenged and well supported.
What are your top tips for someone applying to this law firm?
Know why you want to be a lawyer. Be clear on what motivates you – whether it’s problem‑solving, working with businesses, or helping people navigate complex issues – and link this to the work AG does for its clients.
Understand the firm’s values and ambitions. Research AG’s sectors, strategy, culture and recent expansion, and show how your skills and mindset align with them.
Find your USP (Unique Selling Point). Identify what sets you apart - previous experience, extracurriculars, commercial awareness or life experience, and articulate how this will add value to the firm and its clients. Your experience doesn’t need to be legal. For example, before starting my traineeship I worked at Aldi during the pandemic, and I was able to demonstrate how this role gave me transferable skills in resilience, teamwork and delivering strong client service under pressure.
What are the most important qualities you need to be a lawyer?
Resilience, adaptability and a genuine willingness to learn are, in my view, the most important qualities for a lawyer. Resilience helps you handle pressure, busy periods and setbacks without losing professionalism. Adaptability is essential because clients, markets and matters change quickly, and you must switch comfortably between different types of work and teams. A willingness to learn, including accepting mistakes and acting on feedback, is crucial in a career where you are constantly developing your technical skills, commercial awareness and judgement. I believe that together, these traits are what distinguish a good lawyer from a great one.
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