From Our Trainees
Lyndsey Cavanagh
The traineeship at WJM is unlike many others. It oozes quality and aims to give you a different outlook on how to approach ‘law’. From day one you feel like you are part of the team and are given a high level of responsibility and client contact.
WJM are involved in many areas of the law and your traineeship can be very diverse. The firm wants you experience many areas of practice throughout your two-year traineeship and also help you to determine which one is best for you.
The firm likes to get trainees involved in the day-to-day running of the business and make you feel like you are contributing to the work and success of the firm. The tasks given to trainees, even if only research on a legal point, can be vital to getting the best outcome for our clients.
Training is very important at WJM and this is evident throughout your traineeship. WJM are good at balancing the level of training with the trainees day-to-day work tasks. Partners, Associates and Assistants assist Human Resources with the trainee-training programme. This helps to make the training sessions more realistic, practical and reflective of the real life experiences and transactions that solicitors within the firm may come across, making trainees more aware of some of hurdles they make come up against in practice and how to deal with them.
Trainees should never worry about asking ‘stupid’ questions and shouldn’t spend hours mulling over something. Make use of other peoples knowledge and experience. We’ve all been there!
I started my traineeship at WJM in September 2008 and became an Assistant Solicitor within the Commercial Property Department in September 2010. From my very first day, I felt like a member of the team and was supported throughout my journey as a trainee.
WJM has a different approach to ‘law’ than many other firms and this can be seen from our vision and values as a firm. Work-life balance is greatly encouraged as well as supported by the firm and this is reflected the variety of social events that are organised throughout the year which aim to get every member of the firm involved. It’s a great way to get to know your work colleagues.
Lyndsey Cavanagh
Solicitor, Commercial Property Department
Joanna Eades
I completed my two-year traineeship with WJM, qualifying into the firm’s Renewable Energy and Commercial Property team in 2010.
During my traineeship I completed 4 seats – Commercial Property, Private Client, Corporate and Renewable Energy. In each seat I was made to feel like a valued member of the team, and was given the opportunity to assist with a wide variety of transactions. Each Partner I worked for would make time to talk about any work which I had completed, ensuring that I had an opportunity to ask questions and was constantly on an upward learning curve.
Training is very much a core focus of WJM. A lot of time and resources are invested in teaching trainees about every element of working within a law firm. Trainees are taught about time and file management, time recording, and feeing clients. This highlights to trainees that the firm is a business and the time they spend on work is converted to fees, which ultimately helps the business grow.
Practical legal training was a key part of my calendar as a trainee. We were asked to complete mock transactions whereby the training team provided scenarios in different areas of the law which we were required to progress to completion (e.g. negotiating a lease, preparing a franchising agreement, carrying out an employment tribunal). I found this process to be a very effective teaching method, providing real experience within an environment which allows mistakes to be made and questions to be asked.
A further benefit of working at WJM is how welcoming all the staff are. The secretaries, cash room and administration are all happy to help with all and any queries you might have about the administrative side of the business.
The social side of working at WJM is something which I particularly enjoyed when I was a trainee, and continue to get involved with now. We have a very active social committee who organise regular events which anyone can attend. The annual Summer Outing is followed by a trainee-welcoming pub crawl, Halloween Party, and multiple Christmas parties, as well as all of the activities organised in between (I have learnt since joining WJM that go-karting is not actually one of my core skills, and I in fact cannot bowl without side bumpers!).
Ultimately, my experience of being a trainee at WJM was a hugely positive one, and I am very happy to have the opportunity to progress my career with the firm.
Louise Cleary
I started my traineeship at WJM in September 2006 and was delighted to be kept on as an Assistant in the Commercial Property Team in 2008.
When applying for traineeships, WJM stood out as a firm genuinely committed to giving their trainees a high quality traineeship. After starting with WJM I soon realised that this was in fact the case and the balance between getting the trainees involved with the day-to-day work while providing on-going support and guidance was just right.
One of the best things about WJM is that everyone is always willing to offer help and support so there was never a time throughout my entire traineeship (and even now) where I felt I couldn’t ask for help be this from a secretary, Assistant or Partner. While help is on hand on a day-to-day basis, the firm also has a structured Trainee Programme where seminars are held throughout the year on various topics.
WJM has a great a great work-life balance ethos and we have a Social Committee who organise regular social events throughout the year. The social events are an ideal opportunity to get to get to know the people you are working with a bit better and also a chance to meet others in the firm out-with your own department.
Louise Cleary
Solicitor, Commercial Property & Renewable Energy
Fraser Morrison
I began my traineeship with WJM in September 2007 and enjoyed “seats” in our commercial property and corporate departments.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when starting my traineeship, but was pleasantly surprised to be given a great deal of client contact and responsibility from day one. This was quite daunting at first, but everyone is very approachable and help is always at hand, whether it be from assistants, associates or partners.
At WJM you are given the opportunity to gain experience in a wide variety of areas of law and the firm will support you in pursuing the area of law you wish to specialise in.
It’s not all work though - the firm also has a lively social scene with events every month and no one takes themselves too seriously!
Fraser Morrison
Solicitor, Corporate Department
Angus MacLeod
WJM kept me on after qualifying in 2000, and I now work in the firm’s Technology team, which deals with commercial law and intellectual property. At times, WJM seems to be a paradox in the legal world. It’s a firm with a very long pedigree and a well-established commercial reputation among clients and other lawyers. In other ways, it’s a young firm, with a name for developing innovative practices which make it a different kind of place to work.
My experience here has certainly been interesting and professionally challenging. This is also a friendly firm with a lively social life and an appreciation that while it’s important to work hard and achieve success, there are other important things in life too!
Angus MacLeod
Partner
