Case study

Alex Wendelken-Dickson — Trainee solicitor

Employer
Dentons

Alex studied for an MA in politics before completing Accelerated Scots and English Law and the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. He now works as a trainee solicitor at Dentons

I am a trainee solicitor in the firm’s Edinburgh office, although, given the UK-wide nature of Dentons and the structure of the training contract as a central belt traineeship, I am required to work in our Glasgow office from time to time and occasionally in London. I joined the firm in September 2024 as a trainee solicitor, having just completed my Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Edinburgh.

I was inspired to apply to Dentons because of its international reach and the opportunity to work on cross-jurisdictional matters, which few other firms in Scotland offer to the same extent. Additionally, after thoroughly researching the firm before applying, I was attracted to its open, diverse, forward-thinking, and non-hierarchical culture, which actively challenges the stuffy, old-fashioned atmosphere often found at certain corporate law firms.

Every day is different depending on the work at hand and how busy the team is. Whether I am working from home or in the office, I usually log on around 8:30 or 8:45 am and check for any urgent matters that have come in overnight. I then update my to-do list, which I typically draft before logging off in the evening, so I have a clear idea of the following day’s tasks.

I have completed both a contentious and a transactional seat, and in both, unexpected tasks often arise, requiring adaptability and a willingness to try work I may not have encountered before. However, senior fee earners are always available to offer advice, guidance, and to review any documents, emails, or drafts before they go to the other side or the client, so I never feel afraid to get something wrong if it’s the first time I have done a particular piece of work. Generally, you are given a lot of responsibility early on, whether it’s drafting legal documents, liaising with the other side, or communicating with the Courts advocates or the Land Register.

Working hours vary depending on how busy the team is, sometimes you leave at 5pm, other times it may be closer to 6pm but the norm I would say is around 5.30pm on average. There isn’t an expectation to work late unless something urgent arises, such as a court or adjudication deadline. On those occasions, the rest of the team usually stays late as well, ordering food and creating a good team spirit. You’ll never find yourself as the only one left in the office.

The most important lesson I’ve learned as a trainee is not to be afraid to ask questions. No question is a silly question, and it’s always better to ask than to proceed with a task and make avoidable mistakes.

For those applying to Dentons, my main tip is to do your research. I used to spend a day, or at least half a day, learning about the firm and getting to know it inside out before even starting my application. Know what the firm specialises in, its culture, why you want to work there, and why you would be a good fit. You’re competing against many other applicants, so it’s crucial that your application stands out and isn’t generic.

I also recommend having your university careers service or a colleague review your application; a second pair of eyes is invaluable for spotting mistakes, and attention to detail is one of the key skills for a trainee solicitor. Additionally, your careers service can provide tips and guidance on writing a successful application.

I would also suggest attending any events the firm offers, whether networking events or careers fairs, as getting your name out there is important. It’s great to be able to say, ‘I was inspired to apply to the firm by chatting to … at a Dentons event.’

The best piece of work I have been involved in so far was being given the responsibility to essentially run my own contentious matter. This involved opening the matter and providing a guidance note ahead of a potential arbitration to the client regarding a possible illegal termination of our clients supply contract for Vodka. The work was fascinating, as it required me to engage and correspond with the client to gather the necessary information to draft my guidance note. The subject matter was particularly interesting, as the client was based in India, making it an international piece of work under English law, which I was able to work on from Edinburgh, as the seat of arbitration was London, which I don’t think is work many other firms in Scotland can offer.

Dentons is a great place to work. The culture is open, friendly, and non-hierarchical, making it easy to have your voice heard and influence decisions from an early stage. I also appreciate the responsibility you’re given, which I believe is greater than at other firms, as it allows you to manage your time efficiently and get involved with very high-quality legal work early on, significantly aiding your development as a lawyer. The firm is also excellent at rewarding hard work through social events, which helps keep you motivated and creates a strong sense of team spirit. This reflects how much the firm values its people and recognises their contributions. The firm is also clearly growing and cementing its position in the market and it's great to be part of this growth and win more and more interesting high-quality mandates to work on.

To be a successful lawyer, I think it’s important to be proactive in moving matters forward, have strong attention to detail, and be commercially aware. Clients value lawyers who are efficient and keep things progressing but also ensure that the work produced at the end is of high quality. Commercial awareness is key because, as lawyers, we are not just legal advisors, we also need to pitch our services to clients and ensure that what we offer differentiates us from other firms. By understanding the market and business trends, we put ourselves in a better position to win work and remain our clients’ trusted advisors.

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