Trainee Q & A

Laura is a first year trainee in the Employment Department. She joined Linder Myers straight after completing her LPC at The College of Law, Chester.

"My day starts at 8.30am. I typically begin by checking the fee earners’ calendars to see whether there are any client meetings which I can request to attend that day and then I deal with any incoming correspondence. I enjoy attending client meetings because the real life interaction is interesting and helps you to develop a relationship with the client from the outset. I have also found that my legal knowledge develops by listening to the advice that our solicitors provide to clients – it becomes committed to memory very quickly. We also provide excellent chocolate biscuits!

A large proportion of my work consists of legal research. Recently, I have been looking into continuous acts of employment, the concept of associated employers and what happens to pensions on a TUPE transfer.

The Employment team provide me with a weekly 45 minute training session too. I study the pre-reading materials and then engage in a discussion with a partner or associate about the specific topic. I studied the Employment Law elective when I completed my LPC, so my notes and textbook are extremely valuable for preparing for these training sessions.

When I’m at my desk, my day to day tasks include letter drafting, answering routine calls and drafting instructions to Counsel. Letters may include advice which I have researched myself, or they might just be chaser letters or letters enclosing documents. I am also expected to draft legal documents. These could include claim forms and witness statements.

Additionally, I am responsible for handling any new employment enquiries. This involves taking down the details of the client and their potential claim. I then discuss the matter with Alan Lewis who is the head of the department, research the claim and put a letter of advice together. This presents a great opportunity to work with clients on an independent hands-on basis.

One aspect of being a trainee which I particularly enjoy is attending networking events. Linder Myers trainees are encouraged to join the Manchester Trainee Solicitors Group. The MTSG host regular networking events such as informal drinks and formal presentations, allowing trainees from across Manchester to meet up and share their experiences. Linder Myers have a strong presence at these events and we do our utmost best to attend as many events as possible.

I think that the wide variation of seats helps to develop trainees into well rounded solicitors as we are provided with the opportunity to experience both the commercial and private sectors. This is something that you would not necessarily experience from training with larger corporate firms.” 

What departments can I train in?

Trainees complete four different departments, six months each and could cover:

• Medical Negligence and Personal Injury (these are normally completed in tandem)
• Commercial Property
• Corporate
• Family
• Employment
• Regulatory and Compliance
• Commercial Litigation
• Trusts and Estates

Do you get to choose your seats?

During my induction our HR Manager, Pauline Taylor, asked me if I knew what area of law I wanted to qualify into. We are allocated seats according to the business needs of the department. The firms aims to offer you your preferred seat as your final qualifying seat.

I’ve never worked in an office before; will I be trained?

The firm provides trainees with an induction day which involves a presentation about the firm, a compliance presentation, a tour of the office and an introduction to your first department. In terms of office training, you are expected to pick it up as you work but I have never had any issues asking for help - photocopiers can jam and computers can freeze! But luckily we have an excellent IT team who are on hand to solve any technical problems.

I speak a foreign language; will I get the opportunity to use it?

Linder Myers are part of an international network of solicitors called the Consulegis. This enables us to refer and obtain work from firms all over the globe and increase and diversify our client base. If you speak a foreign language, let your head of department know so that your language may be utilised where necessary. So far I have been able to translate letters, draft responses and chat to members of a French Consulegis firm who came to visit Linder Myers.

Do you stay in the office really late?

Trainees are contracted to work from 8.30am – 5.30pm. However, if you’re really busy, it’s obviously in your best interests to stay later to ensure that the work is completed. This is particularly important if you are working in a litigious department where you have important court deadlines to meet such as in Commercial Litigation, Family or Employment. Linder Myers has a hard working culture and fee earners, including trainees, are expected to put in additional time at either end of the working day.

Will I be retained after I have finished my training contract?

This depends on your performance and dedication to your work throughout the training contract. However if also depends on what area you want to qualify into and whether that particular department has the capacity and need to take on another fee earner at the time that you qualify. The final decision is ultimately business driven year on year

Could I work in any of the regional offices?

Although Linder Myers have branches in Shrewsbury, St Anne’s, Lytham and Heald Green, training contracts are based at the head office in Manchester city centre. However, as we work as a unit, it is possible to obtain work from solicitors who work in the regional offices.