Rona Plowman trainee blog

Rona is a first year trainee solicitor at BBM Solicitors in Wick, Caithness.  Her first seat is Residential Conveyancing. Rona grew up in Wick and attended Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen for her LLB and Diploma.

Introduction

This is my first blog for the Law Society. I will be blogging throughout the next two years of my traineeship about my life as a trainee in a rural firm. However, I am branching away from this theme, just for my first blog, as I believe the most logical place to start would be at the very beginning of my journey into the legal profession – a summer placement opportunity. In the end, my first summer placement opportunity actually led to another two summers of placement with the same firm and finally an offer of traineeship. Certainly for those students looking to go down the route of a traineeship, I hope to convince you to consider applying for a summer placement (if you have not already done so) with a law firm. Occasionally (as was the case for me and a few of my fellow students) a summer placement could lead you to an offer of traineeship.

My journey from summer student to trainee solicitor

Towards the end of my second year at university, I sent a speculative letter to a firm of solicitors in my hometown of Wick to enquire about a summer placement opportunity. Unlike most of the city firms who advertise openings on their websites, social media or directly through the Universities, many rural firms do not advertise placement opportunities. Sending a speculative letter is therefore the route to go down if you have come across a rural firm in which you have a particular interest. Following an interview with one of the directors, I was delighted to be offered a placement for twelve weeks.

During my first placement, the tasks I was involved in were mainly administrative: writing letters for the fee earners, nipping out of the office with the post, printing and scanning documents and so on. Like any student, I was eager to get involved with some legal tasks rather than spending a few hours filing! However, looking back now, I really appreciate the time I spent working alongside the secretaries as it gave me the chance to get my head around the day-to-day operations of a legal firm.

Being invited back to the firm for a further two summers, the tasks I was involved in steadily moved away from administrative to the ‘exciting legal stuff’ which every student has in mind when imagining their summer placement. I attended client meetings, conducted research for legal problems, attended court and got stuck in with some legal drafting. Fast forward in time again, I am now over two months’ into my traineeship. I would love to say that I am now fully devoting my time to the exciting legal stuff – but I can still be spotted in reception as one of the few fee earners that can actually work the printer!

My transition from summer placement to traineeship

The first day of my traineeship is likely to differ from the typical accounts you may read of a trainee’s first day. Classic first day hurdles – such as finding out who to turn to if you need any advice, or how to use the (often complex!) computer software – I was already familiar with. I was also lucky enough to have commenced the first day of my traineeship having already built relationships with all of my colleagues. I turned up to the office on the first day of my traineeship with a clear insight into ‘what to expect’, which certainly put me at ease.

I would not have had such a stress-free transition from the Diploma to the first day of my traineeship two months’ ago had it not been for my summer placements. It is for this reason I would absolutely recommend to any law students reading this blog – whatever stage you may be at in your LLB degree – to apply for some legal experience during your summer break. The experience is great if you hope to expand your uni-based legal skills in a more practical environment, make connections with professionals, improve your drafting skills, attend court, or even to simply gain an insight into life working in a law firm. Also, it is your chance to really work hard to try and impress those working in the firm. I believe it is much easier to make a good impression whilst actually working in a legal firm than it is to impress or stand out on paper as one out of a few hundred trainee applicants. Trust me when I say your co-workers will be taking note of your attitude and performance throughout any placement.

What is next for me?

Day to day I have been involved in running a few residential purchase and sale files, under the supervision of my colleagues over the last two months. I am also preparing for my first quarterly performance review with my supervising solicitor, which is due to take place next month. It has been a busy but very enjoyable first few months and I look forward to the opportunity for reflection which the review will bring. In my next blog, I intend to provide an insight into my first few months of life as a rural trainee.