A Day in the Life of a Trainee Solicitor

I was delighted to begin my career as a Trainee Solicitor at TMJ Legal Services in August 2024, after completing my Masters of Law (Exempting) at Northumbria University.

After finishing my degree, I worked as a Housing Disrepair Paralegal gaining valuable practical experience before starting my training contract.  I am now undertaking my first seat in the Private Client department.

My day as a Trainee Solicitor at TMJ Legal Services

8:45 am

I arrive at the office, since I live just 10 minutes away, my walk to work is short and sweet – very convenient!

9:00am

My first task of the day is to check any emails which may have come in overnight.  Following this, I take time to review my to-do list and prioritise my tasks for the day, ensuring I am prepared to tackle the day’s work efficiently.

9:30am 

A brief discussion with my supervisor follows, where we review the tasks I have previously completed and address the next steps for any upcoming or outstanding matters.

10:00 – 11.00am

A common task at this time is drafting documentation following a client’s initial will appointment. 

This work includes opening a new file for the client and preparing the client care letter along with the initial advice letter to the client, ensuring that everything is documented accordingly. 

Once the formalities are taken care of, I draft the will itself, making sure all the client instructions are properly reflected. No two wills are the same - I enjoy the variety as clients’ assets, their estate planning and any trust they want to set up all make each case unique and interesting. 

12:00 

At this time, I join one of the solicitors in the department to sit in on a client appointment, which could involve matters like estate administration, will drafting, trusts or lasting powers of attorney.

During these meetings, I take detailed notes, as I am often tasked with handling the follow-up work. 

Recently, I have also started to see clients independently, which has been an exciting step in my development. 

1:00pm  

Lunchtime! I like to step away from the desk and get a good break at lunchtime so I usually go home for lunch.

2:00 – 4:30pm 

In the afternoon, my focus shifts to managing my caseload, which can include a variety of tasks from drafting wills, LPAs and trust deeds to preparing probate applications. 

Balancing different cases keeps things dynamic and engaging, as I am constantly adapting to new tasks and gaining valuable experience with each one. 

4:30pm

Towards the end of the day, I like to organise a to-do list for tomorrow and update my training record.  This is a record of the different types of work I have undertaken and the skills I have developed.  This is a key part of my training contract and is discussed with my supervisor at our monthly training meetings.

5:00pm

With any remaining tasks completed, I wrap up for the day and it’s home time!

If you are interested in pursuing a career in law or seeking your next legal opportunity, please feel free to submit your CV by email to enquiries@tmjlegal.co.uk.