Degree: History, Durham University
LPC: BPP Law School
Having lived and worked in London for several years after University, and taken part in legal vacation schemes in City and regional firms, I was keen to pursue my training contract in a regional firm while ensuring I received the best possible legal training available. Henmans appealed for its strong client-focused approach to its legal advice, the broad range of its practice areas and the impressive reputation of many of its senior lawyers. It was also important to me to work for a firm that participated fully in the local community. At interview I was struck by the very friendly atmosphere, which attracted me to the firm all the more.
I joined in September 2008, initially as a trainee in the Clinical Negligence team. The quality and variety of work that I had from day one was exceptional: I attended client meetings, conferences with counsel in chambers in London, drafted witness statements and became involved with the daily running of client files. The department’s daily post meeting, which all members of the team attend and use as a forum to discuss issues that have arisen from the day’s post, proved an excellent way to learn about the process of a clinical negligence claim.
I spent my second seat in Private Client. This large department at Henmans is recognised as one of the leading teams in this practice area outside London. The training I received was excellent: I worked closely with my supervisor assisting her in the administration of the estates of private individuals and charities. It was an excellent and supportive way to learn. I handled a small estate on my own for a charity client, thereby gaining a greater practical understanding of how an estate is administered for probate. By working for other fee-earners in the department I experienced a variety of work, including assisting with Court of Protection matters which I particularly enjoyed. I was asked to issue an application for a Judicial Review and subsequently was lucky enough to attend the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice with counsel on our client’s behalf. Although initially a little daunting, it was an incredible experience and an amazing privilege that I greatly enjoyed.
I have recently joined the Dispute Resolution department. Already I have attended a two day trial and accompanied one of the partners to a mediation that he was running as the mediator. Members of the team are generous in involving me, as their trainee, in events and meetings that give as much variety as possible to my seat.
The experience of training at Henmans is a positive one: colleagues are encouraging and supportive of your development and keen to assist you. Alongside the practical on-the-job training, the firm runs a series of seminars for trainees to teach us about time recording, attendance note taking, the billing process, and other skills to enhance our training and assist our transition into life as a qualified solicitor. The firm has an enviable and refreshing work life balance and good friends are easily made.