Meet Ashwini, a Trainee Solicitor

• How you secured your TC and why you chose W&C:

I attended the firm’s Winter Vacation Scheme and was subsequently offered a Training Contract. One of the main attraction points of the firm was its guaranteed overseas seat and the opportunity to work on cross-jurisdictional matters from the outset of my legal career. The exposure to big ticket deals with a cross border element encourages trainees to take early responsibility. Coupled with this, White & Case has positioned itself as a market leader in a range of practice areas including its work with developing markets. Finally, I felt the culture of the Firm encouraged proactivity.

• Typical activities and key responsibilities of your role as a trainee at W&C

During my first seat in Commercial Litigation, I had the opportunity to attend a virtual hearing in the Netherlands and joined calls with our counsel team and client. This provided an invaluable experience to understand how the team communicates with the client to tailor case strategy. I would regularly help the team with filings, when court deadlines approached, and this provided the chance to take ownership over the document and ensure proofreading and cite-checking were carried out to the highest level of accuracy.

• What training have you received during your TC

I attended a three-week induction which provided software training to understand the Firm’s document management systems and legal technology platforms. This proved useful during my training contract and helped us appreciate from an early stage the importance of incorporating technology to provide for more efficient work processes. Trainees sat in the disputes departments also attend a rolling training programme where we gain department specific training on privilege, enforcement of arbitral awards, disclosure, costs, settlements, introduction to mediation, disputes funding and witness statements. This provided a useful platform upon which I could add practical experience gained from the duration of my seat.

• Your work highlights so far

The main highlight of my training contract to date has been the opportunity to attend the hand down of a judgment. It was insightful to sit with the internal White & Case team and attend strategy calls with our barristers on how to formulate next steps pending the outcome of the judgment. Post receipt of the judgment, I also attended a call with the client. This was useful in understanding how the team internalises and responds to the client’s needs.

• What you enjoy the most about your job so far

I have enjoyed the pace of work during my training contract and the ability to be proactive and take initiative. Teams at White & Case give trainees the opportunity to take on responsibility and in turn this creates a sense of accomplishment and ownership over the work product.

• What challenges you have faced and how you have overcome any difficult situations, including support that may have been provided

Starting a new job can be challenging when faced with new processes and concepts. I have found the trainee cohort to be a great sense of support and comfort in navigating these difficulties. We also have a ‘trainee buddy’ system at White & Case, where as first seat trainees we are allocated a trainee buddy as an incredibly helpful point of contact throughout the Firm. The White & Case offices are set up in such a way that a trainee is usually sat with an associate or partner and this has provided an atmosphere where trainees can learn and develop under the guidance of experienced members of the team.

• Why you like working for W&C and your favourite work perk

The people at White & Case are one of the Firm’s main selling points. I have developed relationships with associates, trainees and partners throughout the Firm who are all invested in creating an environment that celebrates hard work and individualism. This has made coming to work incredibly enjoyable. Paired with the complexity of deals and the international nature of the work that White & Case carries out, I have found the Firm a wonderful place to grow and develop as a young adult. My favourite work perk would be the annual £500 Wellness Account which is provided to employees, by which we can enjoy massages and manicures after a long day at work!