NQ blog - May 2017: Secret NQ blog - tips for transitioning from trainee to NQ solicitor

You’ve made it! You’ve made it through your traineeship (relatively) unscathed and are about to be let loose as an NQ. Excited? Scared? Nervous? All of the above?

It’s been said countless times before but it’s definitely true – the transition from being a trainee solicitor to a fully qualified solicitor is a time of excitement but it also comes with a certain amount of trepidation. Whether you’re staying with the firm you’ve trained with or moving to pastures new, this step is an important part of your career. Eight months into life as an NQ, what have I learned?

Build on what you’ve achieved

Everyone has moments during their traineeship spent wondering if you’ve resigned yourself to a lifetime of photocopying at 11 o’clock at night. But by and large, we all learn a huge amount during our traineeship.

During these all-important two years, you might have been to court, represented your firm at a university careers day or been at (or even led) a client meeting, not to mention learning to adapt to different working environments and styles as you progress through your seats.

More importantly, you’ll have developed a number of soft skills along the way that will stand you in good stead as you forge your career as a fully qualified solicitor. Your time management skills will have been honed, you know how to react if you face a problem you’re struggling with, rather than sitting in a blind panic, and overall you’ll be more confident.

Although you may feel a certain level of trepidation as you start as an NQ, remember what you’ve achieved already and seek to build on that as you progress.

Be realistic

Without wanting to dampen your enthusiasm, be realistic about what you can achieve. There are two sides to this. It might say ‘Solicitor’ on your business card, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be let loose running a big M&A transaction or settling a multi-million pound dispute quite yet! It will take time to establish yourself within your chosen team and there will be inevitable elements of less intellectually demanding work, not dissimilar to what you did as a trainee. If you prove yourself to be a hard and competent worker on the less glamorous tasks, you’re more likely to be seen as a trusted pair of hands when an interesting new instruction comes in.

It’s also worth saying that even the less exciting tasks are often quite critical – in the field I work in, getting document presentation right and ensuring accuracy can make a big difference to how our client’s case is perceived. Plus, making the life of a hard-pressed third-party decision maker that bit easier is always important – they will not welcome a badly constructed set of documents or submissions. I have also found that you can train your eye for detail in doing this kind of work, something that will stand you in good stead for the future.

If you do get given a new piece of work and find yourself stymied, don’t be afraid of asking for help. The most important thing to keep in mind as you start your career as an NQ is that you are not – and no one expects you to be – an expert in your chosen field. Even if you’ve completed a seat in your chosen area of practice, your fellow team members - and clients - will remember that you are still at an early stage of your career, and indeed your charge-out rate reflects your level of experience.

Learning and development

It might seem obvious but make time in your diary for your own learning and development. At Pinsent Masons, we have an extensive range of courses specifically tailored towards the soft skills that newly qualified solicitors need to develop during our first few years as lawyers.

Equally important is learning about your chosen specialism, through any courses that your firm offers and through self-study. This is particularly important if, like me, you have qualified into a team that you didn’t work in as a trainee. You may end up surprising yourself that you know the answer to a client’s query during a meeting and that will give you more confidence in your abilities as you progress.

Make the most of the experience and knowledge of your fellow fee earners, whether that’s by asking questions, attending meetings alongside them or simply listening to them (work permitting) as they advise clients on the telephone.

Get connected

Networking is still a word that sends shivers down the spines of many a solicitor but ultimately, it’s essential. Not everyone can be a social butterfly, charming their way round a drinks reception, but there are ways to build your network if that’s not your thing. Always have your shiny new business cards to hand as you can meet interesting people in the most unusual of places. You might strike up a conversation with the passenger next to you on a red-eye flight to London or a friend of a friend that you meet at a barbeque might be looking for some legal assistance.

Depending on where you live and work, there may be networks to join, such as your local Young Professionals network, or one that’s related to your specialism. Events that bring together professionals outside of the law are particularly helpful in expanding your network. Equally, if any of your fellow trainee solicitors have moved to other firms, keep in touch with them as you never know where their careers may take them. It goes without saying, but LinkedIn is a handy tool for keeping in touch with former colleagues.