We’re very pleased to give a warm welcome to Georgia Bradley who has joined the Guardian team as a Trainee Solicitor on secondment from Pattersons Commercial Law. Georgia has successfully completed her Corporate, Commercial Contracts and Commercial Property training seats, and has now moved into her Employment Law seat with us.
We caught up with Georgia to ask what attracted her to a career in law, and find out what it’s like to be a Trainee Solicitor.
“I was initially attracted to a career in law because I envisaged that a clear undertaking of the law would enable me to help others with difficulties they faced or legal problems they had. Before starting the LPC and my job as a paralegal I wished to pursue a career in criminal law.”
How did you start your legal career?
“Throughout my time at university I had a part time job in events, which I would work at during holidays and most weekends. After finishing my undergraduate degree at Nottingham Trent University in July 2017 I started this job on a full-time basis. The university offered a placement programme to help students find work within their desired profession. I applied for the role and obtained a six-week placement at a law firm in Leicester. After completing two weeks of the placement I was offered a full-time job as a paralegal. I studied for the LPC at Nottingham Trent on a full-time basis whilst working as a paralegal part-time at the firm. During this period I was offered a training contract, which I am now in my 7th month of and undertaking my second seat.
What practice areas have you been working in?
“My first job as a paralegal and subsequent first training contract seat has been in a commercial law firm. I have been involved in many aspects of corporate and commercial law including the buying and selling of businesses and companies, company reorganisations, commercial advice, shareholders agreements and investment agreements. I’ve also been able to gain experience in commercial property as this can come hand in hand with corporate transactions.”
What’s the best thing about being a Trainee Solicitor?
“I think the best thing is being provided with positive feedback from clients or a client saying they’ll return with any additional queries in the future. It’s a great feeling to have a client compliment you on the service provided throughout a transaction or after completing a piece of work for them.”
What’s the most challenging part of being a Trainee Solicitor?
“I find the most challenging thing is time management. I sometimes find myself with a large case load so it is important to manage my time effectively and prioritise work accordingly. I play rugby outside of work which demands a high level of time commitment and therefore I have to work hard to ensure that I can meet clients’ expectations and complete all work set with effective time management when I am in the office to give me the opportunity to pursue both a career in law alongside playing rugby at a high level.”
What advice would you give anyone considering the legal profession?
“My advice to anyone considering the legal profession is that it’s very rewarding and it would be something I’d highly recommend. The profession demands commitment but the end goal of achieving your clients’ aims and ensuring the client is satisfied with the service provided is enjoyable.
Don’t be disheartened if you don’t have a training contract straight out of university. I didn’t have any experience before my first legal role, and therefore hope this demonstrates that leaving university with or without a training contract will not determine your career in the legal profession.”
If you could be a character in any film who would it be and why?
“I think I would be Moana. She shows tenacity and fearlessness to explore the sea when others think she should stay put on the island and follow in the footsteps of others. I can relate to this in my decision to pursue a career in law.”
How have you found your first week at Guardian Law?
“I have really enjoyed my first week as part of the team at Guardian. Starting a new role can sometimes be daunting but the team have made me feel very welcome and I feel that it has been easy to settle in. During my first week I have been involved in drafting instructions to counsel, amending a contract of employment along with carrying out legal research on recent employment law updates. I’m looking forward to getting involved in all aspects of employment law and supporting the team in such respects.”
