Degree qualification and year of graduation: History BA (2021), Mphil in American History (2022)
What is your role, when did you join the firm?
I am a trainee solicitor. I joined the firm in September 2025 after completing my law conversion and the SQE at BPP. So far, I have completed seats in the Tax and Pensions teams, and I am about to move to Technology & Commercial Transactions.
What inspired you to apply to this law firm?
When I was applying for a training contract, I was not sure which area of commercial law I wanted to specialise in. As a well-rounded full-service law firm, Travers Smith offers impressive breadth and depth across its practice groups, combining market-leading advisory and contentious services with its core corporate offerings. During my vacation scheme, I was impressed by not only the quality of the work but also the genuine interest people had in their work.
I also liked that the application process was straightforward, focusing on your personality and motivations rather than your existing knowledge of the law or performance on psychometric tests. The firm's interest in you as a person, and how you think, rang true throughout the recruitment process.
What does a typical work day look like?
I arrive around 9:00 most days and get breakfast in Braithwaite's, our firm's completely free cafeteria and coffee bar. I'll then log into my computer, check any emails and write down my to-do list for the day. Having been in two advisory seats, the type of work I do varies day by day. I may be asked to do research on a point of law or new development, mark-up a short commercial contract, assist on a larger transaction with one of our Corporate teams, or undertake an initial review of a dispute. This does mean your day can be unpredictable, but I have really enjoyed the range of work you get to experience and the different skillsets you develop.
Around 12:30, I'll get lunch with other trainees in Braithwaite's. I'll then continue with my work and maybe go for a coffee break mid-afternoon. Depending on the day, I'll have catch-ups with my supervisors to discuss more substantial projects or attend departmental meetings with the wider team.
What are your working hours like?
I normally finish around 18:30-19:00, though busier periods will sometimes mean staying later. In my experience, there is no expectation to stay in the office without good reason. When longer hours do arise, they reflect the genuine demands of the work rather than any unspoken pressure.
What's the best piece of work you've been involved in?
During my seat in Pensions, I have been involved in a project with a client who are designing an innovative retirement income solution to address pensions inadequacy in the defined contribution sector. The project has involved research into 'black letter' law, in-depth contract reviews and working in collaboration with other departments in the firm. We have had to consider not only how this novel project fits in with current legislation, but also how the solution will be received by the pension scheme's members. It has been exciting to work on a project that is not only technically interesting but also addresses an important social issue.
What is the single most important thing you have learned so far as a trainee?
Being open-minded and adaptable. As a trainee, you move into a new seat every six months and need to pick up an entirely different part of the law and how the department works. Each change is a steep learning curve, and it is important not to panic if you do not immediately understand the new area!
What makes this law firm a great place to work?
People are very generous with their time and genuinely want you to understand your work and ask questions. There is a big emphasis on training, from structured programmes when you first join a new seat to learning by osmosis from the people in your room. The quality of work is also extremely high and there is an effort to meaningfully involve trainees in novel and complicated projects.
What are your top tips for someone applying to this law firm?
When writing your cover letter or preparing for your interview, look at the firm's website and try to find a piece of work that the firm has done that genuinely interests you. Think about how your own experiences and interests may relate to the work or the skillsets that the firm is looking for, even if they are not directly law related.
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