A day in the life of Georgi Minchev, Trainee Solicitor, Addleshaw Goddard
Name: Georgi Minchev
Job title: Trainee Solicitor
University attended: University of Leeds (Law LLB – 2024) and BPP University (SQE LLM – 2026)
What is your role, when did you join the firm?
I started at Addleshaw Goddard as a Trainee Solicitor in March 2026, having completed a Summer Vacation Scheme in 2023. I am currently approaching the end of my six months in the Leeds Corporate Debt team and will transfer to the Leeds Commercial department in September 2026.
What inspired you to apply to this law firm?
I researched the firm meticulously and several things stood out, namely, the firm’s sustained international growth, increased profitability and office expansion (Addleshaw Goddard has opened five new offices since I was offered a Training Contract!); the number and durability of its FTSE100 client relationships; and the firm’s strive for innovation.
What does a typical work day look like?
I usually begin my commute to the office around 8-8:15 am, arriving at the office between 8:45-9:00 am. I would normally review my daily/weekly schedule, prepare a to-do list for the day and review my notes from the previous couple of days for any outstanding tasks. I normally deal with any overnight correspondence (including going through any commercial awareness/business insight update emails), run completion searches and review the progress of security registrations and DocuSign envelopes first thing in the morning. Tuesday is the team’s anchor day, so we have a morning meeting, preceded by a joint capacity call with the Manchester colleagues at the start of the week.
If I am being involved in a new transaction, I would normally have a matter briefing with my supervisor(s). Depending on how busy the week is, I will prioritise document review and drafting tasks as pre-noon activities, leaving the afternoon for tasks such as company search reports, execution of documents, postage and submitting my time recordings. Throughout the day (especially as completions approach), I would continuously update condition precedent/condition subsequent checklists on Legatics and signing lists, ensuring that file management is accurately reflected on our cloud space. On a weekly/bi-weekly basis, I too update my qualification log with and reflect on experiences supporting my learning and development throughout the most recent week or two.
Amid all of that, I would attend various meetings (e.g. the Leeds Trainee Committee that I am part of) and training sessions, be it department-specific or broader coaching, as well as any events the firm organises (including business development events, such as golfing, bowling and charitable dragon boat racing with clients). I also set aside time to prepare for any legal/case law updates I typically present to our team at some of our Tuesday meetings.
We have a subsidised canteen, which is great for socialising, especially with my Trainee peers. Alternatively, I equally enjoy spending my lunch breaks grabbing lunch from town and having a walk around Leeds City Centre.
What are your working hours like?
I start around 9 am and typically finish between 5 and 6:30 pm. There has been the odd late night, although this is exceptional, as opposed to a regular occurrence.
What is the single most important thing you have learned so far as a Trainee?
Everyone can make mistakes, regardless of their level of seniority and years of experience. Almost everything is rectifiable, so long as it is spotted and communicated promptly.
What are your top tips for someone applying to this law firm?
Make sure to research the firm as thoroughly as possible and articulate what you seek in a law firm, how this law firm exemplifies this and what you have done in relation to furthering your professional development based on that same criterium. I would strongly encourage prospective applicants to apply for Addleshaw Goddard’s Open Days or seek to meet the firm’s representatives at law fairs and presentation sessions.
What's the best piece of work you've been involved in?
We acted for a major clearing bank on a term loan facility to a Luxembourg entity securing the loan against Scottish real estate. I was involved in this transaction from start to finish and worked extensively with colleagues from Addleshaw Goddard’s Leeds, Manchester, Scottish and Luxembourg offices. The transaction had a regulatory element too, so I got to undertake research (bearing in mind that Corporate Debt is not a research-heavy seat).
Are you involved with any of the Firm's networks?
So far, I have participated in the Leeds Trainee Committee and the 2026 Summer Vacation Scheme Social Committee (being a Trainee buddy for the same too), also volunteering to support the firm’s Legal Explorers Programme as an interviewer.
What makes this law firm a great place to work?
My colleagues are interested in my development and everyone is approachable – from assistants to Partners, conversations flow easily and Addleshaw Goddard has a collaborative dynamic, as opposed to competitive working relations.
What are the most important qualities you need to be a lawyer?
Organisation, communication, collaboration, eye for detail, research skills – these are standardly listed as key skills in the profession. I would add that ever since starting as a Trainee, I have come to realise that transaction/case/stakeholder management is a crucial skill, as are proactivity, inquisitiveness, resilience and negotiating.
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