Degree qualification and year of graduation: Law LLB (2022)
What is your role, when did you join the firm?
I am currently a second-seat Trainee Solicitor, having joined the firm in September 2025 after studying law at Durham University. I graduated in 2022 with a 2:1.
Why did I apply to Travers Smith?
I applied to Travers because I felt it struck the balance between promising high-calibre work at a prestigious firm with an impressive client-base, whilst retaining a genuinely human and people-focused approach. From what I saw of the firm, and from speaking to members of the team at early career events, it was clear that Travers placed real emphasis on its people and on fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment; the room-sharing arrangement and unique focus on individual's personalities throughout the application process only reinforced this. I was also drawn by the quality and industry-wide recognition of its training, which was a key factor for me in starting my legal career.
What does a typical workday look like?
I usually arrive at the office just after 9am and head straight to Braithwaite's, the firm's fully catered cafeteria, to grab a coffee. I will inevitably have a chat with the people in my room about our weekends, evenings, life events – it's hard to overstate how friendly everyone is here.
I work through my to-do list, often broken up with a client call, a discussion with an associate about work I've been given, or a training session. I am currently sat in Tax where the tasks are varied. Common trainee work includes researching technical areas of law, drafting tax disclosures for a management warranty deed, handling stamp applications, or contributing to our BD materials – for example, I am currently working on our live Budget Tracker ahead of the Autumn Budget.
I'll have lunch at 12:30 with the other trainees; consistently it's the highlight of the day with the amazing selection of food. I'll then carry on my work for the rest of the afternoon, typically leaving the office at 6:30pm.
What are my tips for someone applying?
First, make sure Travers is truly a firm you would want to work at. As a general rule for applications, the process will be considerably easier if you have a genuine enthusiasm for, and understanding of, the place you're applying to. Try and make use of all available resources: things like Chambers Student, Legal Cheek, the firm's website are all good places to start building an understanding of the firm. Every law firm is different, so it's important to identify what uniquely draws you to this one. This could be the types of work the firm does most; notable deals it has been involved in; or people you've met. I'd recommend attending webinars or events hosted by the firm; the best way to get to get to know a firm is often by meeting its people. Ultimately, it's about demonstrating a personal connection to the firm; something that sets you apart from the more generic responses.
What are the most important qualities you need as a Trainee?
As a Trainee, the best thing you can be is enthusiastic and willing to get involved. One of the great things about a career in law is that you are constantly learning; you should cherish that opportunity to seek a breadth of experience and learn from colleagues with years of expertise.
Relationship management and communication skills are also really important. Some of the best feedback I've received from a partner was simply that I was a good roommate. Building connections with those around you really matters and makes communication much easier. A common complaint about trainees is a lack of communication. It's important to be responsive and communicate openly about your workload and capacity. You shouldn't be afraid to flag where something needs clarifying or the assumptions that have been made in a piece of work.
All of it is about being as helpful as possible, which is why proactivity is so highly valued. A good trainee anticipates issues, thinks carefully about what is being asked and tries to resolve things unprompted, always aiming to arrive with a proposed solution.
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