Case study

Callum Campbell — Trainee solicitor

Employer
Addleshaw Goddard

Callum studied LLB Hons (Law) and an LLM in Legal Practice at Manchester Metropolitan University before starting his training contract with Addleshaw Goddard (AG)

When did you join AG?

I joined AG in September 2021 as a paralegal working in the Transactional Services Team (TST). I worked with the Manchester Corporate Team as a paralegal for two years and a senior paralegal for one year. During my time as a paralegal, I spent 11 months on secondment at Equistone Partners Europe Limited, a private equity firm whose head office is in London. I worked with their in-house legal and compliance team, as well as various investment directors.

I then started my training contract in September 2024. I am now going into my third trainee seat in the Corporate team (previous seats in Transactional Real Estate and Tax and Structuring).

Why did you choose AG?

One of the main reasons was the comprehensive and wide-ranging areas that the firm specialises in. They also have a great reputation as one of the leading law firms in the North West, with some really exciting and high-profile clients. This really attracted me to the firm because I love Manchester and grew up here, I wanted to work alongside and learn from the best lawyers in my city.

What does a typical day look like?

I arrive at the office at 8:45 am and grab some breakfast. I will then log on at 9am and check through my emails and to-do list. As a trainee your days will vary depending on the team you are in and your current workload. It has been important for me to take on a variety of work during my trainee seats. I believe this then allows me to come away from the six months and reflect on the seat with a well-rounded view on the practice area and whether it is somewhere I could potentially see myself qualifying. During my time most recently in Tax and Structuring, I would work on a number of different matters, I would be in and out of calls with partners, managing associates and associates discussing different instructions. I will usually try to leave the office and commute home before 6pm.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned so far as a trainee?

The importance of asking questions at the outset when taking on new instructions or working on something for the first time. It is critical to get as much as possible from the initial conversations with the respective fee earner, this way you can develop an appropriate level of background context when starting work on a new workstream or for a new client.

What’s the best piece of work you’ve been involved in?

I have led on the verification workstream of two separate IPOs for clients of the Manchester Corporate team. The first for LADbible at the end of 2021 and the second for Applied Nutrition during 2024.

I have also worked on some really interesting and exciting matters during my time in the real estate and tax teams.

What are the most important qualities you need to be a lawyer?

Hardworking, analytical, organised and approachable.

What are your top tips for someone applying to AG?

Read about AG, our areas of expertise and key clients. It is also worth understanding our initiatives outside of fee earning. Think about why you think it’s the right place for you and why you believe this is where you can take the next step in your legal career. If you are applying to the firm then be prepared to display how you are ready to work in this fast-paced and exciting environment.

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