Case study

Florence Risbridger — Trainee solicitor

Employer
Slaughter And May

Florence studied social sciences at Durham University and is currently in the second seat of her training contract at Slaughter and May

Why did you apply to Slaughter and May?

I attended a university event which introduced me to the firm. My degree allowed me to pick modules across different social sciences, so I was particularly drawn to the firm’s similar multi-specialist approach.

Completing the vacation experience scheme provided me with a useful insight into how this translates into day-to-day work and more broadly the culture at Slaughter and May. The people I interacted with were also welcoming and approachable.

How did you find the application process?

The application starts by submitting a CV and cover letter - an opportunity to convey both your personality and enthusiasm, while also demonstrating written communication skills.

During my interview, I found the most engaging part of the interview to be the discussion of a commercial article. I was pleasantly surprised by how natural and conversational this felt; the discussion with the partners evolved into an exchange of ideas, which made the experience both intellectually stimulating and enjoyable.

What’s a typical day like as a trainee solicitor in your current seat?

I am currently in the tax department, in the second three-month period of my second seat. It is an excellent department to train in, offering a mix of advisory, contentious (including disputes and investigations) and transactional work, providing me with a varied experience.

In this seat, I have been involved in a particularly complex transaction, which has included tasks such as:

  • attending negotiations with the opposing side
  • conducting research
  • reviewing key documents.

I have also acquired more responsibility and client contact - I am responsible for communicating key updates to the client, which often requires prioritising the most material points, and then clearly explaining these to more senior members of the team.

Although there have been periods of extended hours on this project, I have greatly appreciated the team’s transparency in providing advance notice and their recognition of my contributions.

Before my current seat, I sat in the financial regulation team. Although the subject matter was different, the skills I developed in that seat have proven highly transferable, highlighting the value of training across departments.

For my final two seats, I am sitting in financing and then corporate – all trainees at the firm are required to complete a seat in these practice areas.

What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy the fact I’m constantly learning. While this is challenging, it also keeps the work stimulating and engaging.

Rotating through different practice areas ensures a dynamic work environment, exposing me to a range of:

  • areas of law
  • clients
  • legal issues.

I particularly enjoy undertaking complex research assignments, meticulously analysing client queries and providing a collective well-considered advice.

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