Meet Reveen - a trainee solicitor

University attended: University of Aberdeen
Degree qualification and year of graduation - LLB Law with English (Graduated in 2022)
Place of employment - work at the Aberdeen office of Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

Why did you decide on a career in law?

When in secondary and slowly the increasing pressures of having a planned-out life approached, I struggled to truly commit myself to a particular path. What I did know was that I wanted to be involved in a career which I could understand the underpinnings of the major events that go around in the world and have varied work. Upon completing work experience I found that law provided an exceptionally strong foundation to understand major deals and that it also provided varied work with clientele in various sectors querying about a variety of different issues or goals that they wanted to achieve. This propelled me to choose law as my undergraduate and further progress until I got my training contract.

Why you chose to apply to Addleshaw Goddard?

In addition to the fact that the firm has been continually growing and regarded as one of the best and major firms in the UK, I was attracted to apply due to the culture that it has fostered. The firm puts genuine effort in developing their early talent and has ambitious growth plans. This was evident from the research I carried out and the many testimonials I sought.

Tell us about your experience of the training contract so far.

If I could sum up my training contract in one word it would be "rewarding". I have been exposed to multiple different types of deals and different events and opportunities, all of which contribute to my professional and personal growth. I have been able to gain knowledge from both internal and external sources and learn about facets of law that I previously had in the periphery of my day-to-day life.

What kind of tasks do you complete on a typical day?

On a "typical" day the most common task is time recording. More seriously, tasks are dependent on what seat you are in, but can broadly range from researching information for partners/clients, drafting documents for deals, investigatory work in relation to questions or issues and liaising with clients for information.

What are the challenges?

As with any job there are challenges, but my own personal challenge is maintaining a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail. This career has highlighted me the importance of these skills. It's important to remember to that it's about the quality of the work that is produced, not the quantity.

Can you debunk a myth about working in law?

I think one of the myths (which may not even be a myth) is that partners and associates see you as a nuisance and don’t have time for you. Whilst it is true that they may be very busy, I have found (at least in AG) that they will always support and provide guidance no matter how busy they are. They are very proactive in AG about involving trainees directly with clients and including them in projects that they manage.

What advice can you give to other aspiring trainee solicitors?

The best advice I can give is that don’t be afraid to carry out the work and make mistakes. I have learned a lot from my mistakes and my work has improved as a result. In addition, it's important to show initiative.

What their roles includes e.g. typical activities and key responsibilities

If there are any big deals, trainees will usually be responsible for managing the data room. They will also be responsible for taking notes in client calls, drafting of documents, legal research and communicating with clients in relation to specific matters.

What training they have received

I have received a tremendous amount of training both internally by the firm for the various seats that I have been in (including in person and online) as well as specialist training organised by the firm in relation to specific matters. There is also weekly training on the latest developments relevant to each sector. This is all in addition to other mandatory training such as to meet CPD requirements.

What makes your organisation a great place to work

In my opinion, there are three things which make AG one of the best firms to work for. The people, the culture, and the quality work that we attract. Being part of a firm which is constantly innovating with technology is also very exciting as you benefit from the advantages it provides to assist you in daily work.