Meet Helen - Trainee Solicitor

What is your role, when did you join the firm?

I am a trainee solicitor at Travers Smith. I joined the firm in September 2024, after completing the GDL and SQE at BPP. 

What inspired you to apply to this law firm?

I was drawn to the firm’s well-rounded practice areas. While Travers offers the standard corporate services found at many City firms, it also has well-established employment, dispute resolution, and commercial law departments. I liked that both a corporate and a contentious seat are compulsory at Travers, as this reflects the firm’s commitment to both sides of its practice from the outset and ensures a broad and comprehensive training experience.

Given I was working full time while applying for TCs, I focused on firms that not only appealed to me but also had a simple application process. Travers requires only a cover before inviting successful applicants to interview. It was refreshing to see a firm who wants to get to know applicants, rather than sending them through psychometric testing. This reflects the firm's fair and open culture, qualities that resonated with me from the outset. 

What does a typical work day look like?

I usually get into the office around 9am, after a gym class. I get set up at my desk and then head to Braithwaite’s for breakfast, where I catch up with a few other trainees over coffee. I check my emails on my walk in, so I have an idea of what I need to prioritise in the morning. Currently, I’m working on three employment investigations, which means my mornings might involve sitting in on interviews, speaking with barristers, or organising documents for case bundles. I go for lunch with members of the employment team at Braithwaite’s and sometimes take a walk around St. Paul’s churchyard afterwards.

In the afternoon, work is delegated to trainees through an email chain with the associates. I spend this time supporting whoever needs help, which could include drafting settlement agreements, reviewing documents in a data room for a corporate deal, or conducting research into specific aspects of employment law. The work in the seat is genuinely varied - some projects last for months, while others are finished up in a day.

What are your working hours like? 

At the beginning of my seat in March I was put on a global redundancy project involving 50 jurisdictions, which Travers was orchestrating. At its height, I was working 9am - 9pm most days, sometimes later. The work was intense, and the pace of the project seemed to be constantly increasing. Since the project ended in July, I have been finishing at 6.30pm most days. 

What is the single most important thing you have learned so far as a trainee?

No mistake is too big to risk covering up. It’s natural to want to fix things yourself and avoid disappointing others, but I’ve learned that transparency is always the better approach. Whether it’s a small slip or a larger issue, associates and partners are always willing to help unpick problems - as long as you’re open from the start. Thankfully, I haven’t found myself in this situation, but I can see how tempting it is to try to resolve things alone. In reality, being honest is always the best choice, and problems are rarely as serious as they first seem.

What are your top tips for someone applying to this law firm?

Make your cover letter personal and engaging - it should reflect who you are. The early careers recruitment team reads every application, so standing out is important. They see hundreds of similar letters, so don’t be afraid to highlight what makes you unique. Every trainee I’ve met at Travers has interests or experiences outside of law, and it’s clear that the firm values individuality. Use your differences to your advantage and be authentic. Also, don’t hesitate to apply if you’ve changed careers. I was 26 when I applied, and Travers truly values the experience and transferable skills that come from previous careers.

What's the best piece of work you've been involved in?

The work I’ve enjoyed most has been employment investigations, which are currently keeping the team very busy. Employers come to Travers to lead investigations into issues such as bullying, sexual discrimination, unfair dismissal, or poor workplace governance. Being involved in the entire process, from the initial stages through to the final investigation report has been both fascinating and rewarding.

What makes this law firm a great place to work?

From my first day at Travers, I 've been struck by everyone's genuine eagerness to help. The tech, document production and print services teams constantly go above and beyond, resolving issues quickly (and importantly for me, who use their services often, patiently!).The seat-specific training provided by knowledge lawyers, associates and partners is thoughtfully structured and extremely valuable. Questions are always welcomed, and answers are not rushed. The atmosphere at Travers is also shaped by the wonderful people in Braithwaite's, the coffee bar and the security team; everyone makes a real effort to be welcoming. As a trainee, it's easy to feel at home here and I feel lucky to be a part of it. 

What are the most important qualities you need to be a lawyer?

A quality I’ve consistently observed in associates at Travers is their curiosity and inquisitiveness. Being interested in the world around you - and understanding how developments can impact your area of work - is fundamental to success as a lawyer. As a trainee, I’ve learned through research tasks that lawyers don’t always have all the answers, but a willingness to investigate and get to the heart of an issue is essential. If you’re naturally inquisitive, you’ll find this job both rewarding and enjoyable. I certainly am.