Case study

Beth Edwards — Trainee solicitor

Employer
Womble Bond Dickinson

Beth studied law at the University of Southampton and completed her LPC LLM at the University of Law. She’s now a trainee solicitor at Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) (UK) LLP

What inspired you to pursue a career in law?

Law plays to my strengths, reflects my values, challenges me, and offers plenty of opportunities to grow and develop. I’ve always enjoyed working with people, and I liked how law combines that with problem-solving and making a real difference. I found the academic side of law genuinely interesting, which led me to study it at university. Along the way, I spoke to people in the profession, got involved in events and workshops, and gained as much experience as I could, both legal and non-legal. All of that helped confirm that this was the right path for me.

Why did you choose to train with WBD?

  • Culture - During my legal work placement at WBD I experienced the firm’s open and supportive culture, where the non-hierarchical structure created a genuine sense of community. It was clear to me that this was a place where I could grow both professionally and personally.
  • Quality and variety of work - As a full-service commercial law firm, WBD offers exposure to a range of sectors, providing breadth in my training.
  • Clients - The firm works with high-profile clients on significant matters. I’m currently about to undertake a six-month commercial client secondment at IBM.

What does your training contract involve?

My training contract consists of four six-month seat rotations across different departments. So far, I’ve completed a split seat in Property Litigation and Commercial Dispute & Regulatory, followed by a seat in the Insurance Disputes team. I am about to begin a secondment at IBM for my third seat.

What kind of tasks do you typically handle?

My day-to-day tasks include:

  • legal research
  • drafting correspondence to clients, courts, and opposing parties
  • preparing legal documents such as court forms and applications
  • attending hearings and mediations
  • participating in client meetings.

What challenges have you faced during your training?

One of the biggest challenges has been overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Coming from a low socio-economic background and being the first in my family to attend university, I initially found the idea of entering a professional legal environment quite intimidating as I did not know what to expect.

However, WBD offers strong support through supervisors, HR/Early Talent, buddies, and fellow juniors. I’ve also joined the firm’s ambassador network to help others from similar backgrounds access the legal profession.

How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

I prefer to start my day early so I can finish shortly after the working day ends. If needed, I’ll log on from home to complete urgent tasks. WBD prioritises wellbeing through initiatives like wellbeing day entitlements and a flexible working policy, which helps me balance work and personal life effectively.

What three qualities do you think are essential for a career in law?

  • Enthusiasm - Being eager to learn, ask questions, and get involved.
  • Adaptability - Being able to respond to changes in law, technology (such as WBD’s rollout of co-counsel AI tools), and the wider commercial environment.
  • Collaboration - Working effectively with colleagues and clients to achieve the best outcomes.

Can you debunk a common myth about being a solicitor?

A common myth is that solicitors are always in court. While some do spend a lot of time there, especially in litigation, many work primarily in offices, focusing on research, drafting, and client advisory work. Even within litigation, there’s a strong emphasis on alternative dispute resolution and settlements, which often reduces the need for court appearances.

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