Oliver Clarke — Trainee solicitor
Oliver is a second-year trainee in RPC's Bristol office. Here he discusses what makes training in Bristol such a valuable and enjoyable experience
Breadth of work: Insurance and commercial practice
RPC’s Bristol office provides trainees with experience across two main practice areas: insurance and commercial law. The insurance team is well-established and covers matters such as professional and financial negligence, personal injury, medical malpractice, property, and construction disputes. Trainees support lawyers who defend claims against commercial clients, advise on the terms of insurance policies (known as coverage advice, meaning whether a policy applies to a particular situation), and assist with recovery actions for claimants.
Alongside insurance, the Bristol office’s commercial practice is growing. Trainees gain exposure to both dispute-based (contentious), advisory or transactional (non-contentious) work in areas including IP, Data & Cyber, and Commercial Contracts. This mix allows trainees to develop a broad skillset and practical experience in both established and emerging sectors.
Trainees are trusted to take responsibility for progressing aspects of cases under the supervision of qualified lawyers. Typical tasks include drafting correspondence, preparing research notes, and drafting court documents. While trainees do not run cases independently, they are entrusted to contribute meaningfully to the progress of matters and encouraged to develop practical legal skills with guidance from experienced colleagues.
Bristol and firm culture: Support, mentorship, and inclusivity
Trainees receive mentorship and supervision from dedicated supervisors and are encouraged to seek guidance from colleagues at all levels. The firm values collaboration and maintains an open-door policy, helping trainees feel welcomed and able to contribute from day one. Regular feedback and structured training support professional growth and confidence. The supportive and inclusive culture at RPC allows trainees to feel valued and welcomed, adding to trainees' personal and professional development.
The Bristol training contract also offers the added bonus of being in Bristol. Bristol offers a unique blend of natural and urban environments. From architecture such as the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Cathedral to thriving urban communities and the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Aside from this it is also boasts one of the UK's leading legal markets. Training in Bristol means enjoying a balanced lifestyle alongside professional development.
Social opportunities: Building lasting connections
Social life at RPC Bristol goes beyond office events. Trainees and colleagues build genuine friendships that often last throughout their careers. Whether through team socials, sports clubs, or informal gatherings, you will find plenty of opportunities to connect, share experiences, and support each other. Due to the smaller size of the Bristol office, the events are frequently with people you interact more often with, which builds up a stronger sense of office camaraderie. The firm also puts on catered food and drinks for the entire office on the first Thursday of each month, a great way to network with those outside of your team. The breadth of social opportunities makes the training contract both professionally rewarding and personally enjoyable. A career in law is both intense and demanding which makes it all the more important to have a friendly culture of people around you, something certainly abundant in RPC's Bristol office.
Find out more
- Discover what it’s like to work at RPC.
- Explore how to become a solicitor.
- Check out the various areas of law.