Degree: University College London
CPE and LPC: Anglia Law School
After university I joined the M&S graduate management scheme and worked in head office for several years before deciding on a change of direction. Consequently, I already had a good idea both in respect of my own strengths and the qualities I was looking for in a training contract. I had completed a number of vacation schemes at both City and regional firms beforehand and knew I wanted real responsibility and good training from an early stage, but in a medium-sized environment where I would be a valued member of the firm. I was also keen on the ever sought-after work life balance. Henmans attracted me due to its strong reputation for litigation in the legal press, with an impressive client list as well as a number of leading lawyers in the field. Having worked and lived in London for a number of years, Oxford was also an attraction as a beautiful place to live and work.
My first seat was in Corporate, which also included some intellectual property work. Even though I had joined the firm with litigation in mind, this non-contentious seat was a really good experience in helping me to develop my drafting and transaction-management skills. The team were also very friendly and made sure I settled in well, with a "buddy" (who had just qualified having trained at the firm) helping me to get through the first week nerves! My second seat was Personal Injury and professional negligence. The firm acts both for defendant insurers and claimants, respectively, and I particularly enjoyed the defendant work, in which the firm acts for multinational insurance companies and blue chip clients in defending public, employer and product liability claims, as well professional negligence claims brought against solicitors and healthcare professionals. The department was particularly well-organised and my supervisor ensured that I had regular and structured formal and informal feedback to help me develop. I was given increased responsibility as the seat progressed and a good deal of client contact.
I chose employment for my third seat and assisted in drafting compromise agreements, working on discrimination and unfair dismissal claims, as well as attending hearings to support counsel. I also had experience of talking to clients on the phone and taking them through basic agreements, which was a great learning experience. Before I knew it, it was time for the final six months and I chose to return to the personal injury/professional negligence seat, with a particular focus on defendant insurance litigation. I was delighted to be offered a newly qualified position in this department which I took up in September 2011.
Aside from the law, I have been encouraged to get involved in the life of the firm, for example by running the firm's cricket and five-a-side football team and organising a summer tournament for businesses in the area. I also ran the firm's annual tennis tournament which was a great way to meet other people. The firm is friendly and definitely has a good work-life balance. The open plan, modern office is a great way to learn from more senior members of the firm and there is a cafe on the ground floor which is a good place to catch up with friends. Appraisals take place half way through the seat as well as at the end, and there is informal feedback throughout. Trainees at Henmans LLP are expected to work hard, used as a genuine resource and the learning curve can be steep at times, but the firm also appreciates that there is a life outside the office. This is the sign of a well-rounded training contract and one that I am confident will set me up well for my future career in the law.