Tell us a bit about your background: what was your university background, when did you join Ashurst Perkins Coie?
I've had a bit of a "squiggly" career path prior to joining Ashurst Perkins Coie. I studied Law at the University of Bristol, but after graduating I spent several years in account management — essentially corporate sales and relations — at FTSE 100 companies like PepsiCo and Unilever, where I managed a portion of my company's sales at big retailers like Sainsbury's. I'm now in the first week of my first seat (Global Markets) at Ashurst Perkins Coie. The jump from sales to law might seem like a big one, but a lot of what I picked up — commercial awareness, stakeholder management, clear communication — translates pretty directly into life as a trainee.
Why did you choose Ashurst Perkins Coie?
Culture was a big driver of my decision. I first met the firm at university during a "make a pizza" evening and everyone was approachable, down-to-earth, and genuinely helpful —and this impression did not change throughout the application process. Ashurst Perkins Coie is also strong in the areas I'm most interested in — corporate, competition, and finance — with highly ranked departments and the chance to do secondments abroad. The trainee intake of around 35–40 per year is the ideal size for me too - big enough to make good friends, but small enough that you're not just a number.
What is the most interesting piece of work you have been involved in to date?
It's only my first week and a lot of it has been training and getting settled in - but I've already been pulled into real work. For example, I attended a large meeting with a consortium of banks and produced the minutes that were circulated to clients, and I've been involved in a project reviewing legal opinions and conducting legal analysis. From day one I've been treated like a trainee solicitor, not a spectator, with specific tasks that are my responsibility to complete for the deal team.
What are your top 3 tips for someone wanting to go into commercial law?
Get practical work experience in any area you can. It doesn't have to be in law — any professional experience (hospitality, work experience placements or administration roles) gives you real examples for competency questions and will make you feel a lot more comfortable on your first day at a firm or vacation scheme.
Stay up to date with commercial news — and think critically about it. Try following one deal from start to finish, set up FT alerts for this deal and practice explaining this deal and how it develops over time. Equally, when you read a news story, think about which teams at a firm like Ashurst Perkins Coie would be busy or quiet as a result of it. That's exactly what interviewers are looking for to demonstrate 'commercial awareness'.
Be confident in interviews. You'll be nervous, but remember that firms are hiring future lawyers, not finished ones. Think about the skills a good lawyer presents — clear communication, structured thinking, composure — and bring that energy. You don't need all the answers.
What does a typical workday look like?
I'm in my first week in seat, so this will develop but currently my mornings have mostly been team training sessions led by partners and associates — great for getting up to speed and meeting the team. In between, I've been getting briefed on upcoming work by others in the team. I try to make time for lunch and a walk with fellow trainees — the office is in Spitalfields so there are loads of good spots nearby. Afternoons have been more focused: reviewing documents, drafting, legal analysis, and independent training. So far, no two days have been the same, which I have found engaging.
What is the single most important thing you have learned so far as a trainee?
Put yourself out there. If you don't ask, you don't get — and everyone genuinely wants to see you do well. If there's an area of law you're curious about, reach out. Get involved with pro bono, social committees, sports teams — the more you put yourself forward, the more you'll get out of your training contract.
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