Sophia Reeves explains why a legal career and why at Herbert Smith?
Whilst working in the City had been a long held ambition, it was only at the start of my second year of a geography degree at Oxford University that I decided I wanted to pursue a career in law. I realised that as a lawyer I could combine my desire to be at the heart of the commercial world with an intellectually rigorous role that had a clear career path and continuing development and training. Before applying for vacation schemes I thought it sensible to get some legal work experience under my belt, particularly given the fact that I had not studied law academically. I secured some holiday experience with an East Anglian firm of solicitors and a mini-pupilage at chambers in Lincoln’s Inn.
After researching the various city law firms through graduate recruitment events, websites and speaking to people with experience of the different firms, I was attracted by Herbert Smith's excellent reputation for handling high profile transactions and disputes which frequently had an international element. Herbert Smith's litigation practice was clearly held in the highest regard. However, I saw that the firm was also in the top-tier across a broad variety of non-contentious practices. I felt this made Herbert Smith uniquely placed to offer me the most diverse and high quality training contract possible. Following a happily hectic two week vacation scheme at Herbert Smith in April 2002, I felt convinced that the firm could provide the quality of work and clients I was keen to experience. The friendly and collegiate work environment I encountered during this time was an additional influential factor in my choice. I was delighted to receive an offer of a training contract in September 2002, to begin in March 2006. The intervening period was spent completing my degree, the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course. In the 6 months preceding my arrival as I trainee I took advantage of the March start date to travel in South America and complete a ski season in Switzerland.
My experiences so far
Given the wealth of matters and types of tasks that are encountered at Herbert Smith, there is no 'typical' day as a trainee. There are a number of experiences in my training contract which stand-out. During my first seat in Real Estate, I flew to Edinburgh on my own for a couple of days to conduct a review of the property portfolio of a large insurance company. When in the litigation division, one of the most rewarding experiences was assisting with the drafting of an interim application, and then sitting behind our counsel in court as he delivered the arguments which I had had a role in constructing.
Training and development opportunities
The working relationship between trainee and supervisor at Herbert Smith is close. For the most part this means the trainee shares an office with their supervisor, resulting in the supervisor always being on hand to provide guidance when required. Equally, most supervisors will also allow you the scope to work independently where you have demonstrated a desire and capability for doing so. There are numerous opportunities to work as part of a large team, sometimes across practice areas. In these instances I have benefited from liaising with, and learning from colleagues of differing levels of experience.
When I think about the difference between my first seat, where I tentatively set out my first short emails to clients, and my third, by which time I was confident in tackling the research of a legal point and turning the research into a formal letter of advice, I realise how far my training has brought me in the space of a year. Most importantly, this training fills me with confidence that I will be able to deal with the challenges of working as an associate after qualification.
The social and cultural side of the firm
Socially, one of the best aspects of my trainee experience has been being part of a large trainee community, comprised of individuals from a variety of backgrounds. It is usual that you will get to know your own intake well and make several friends, and you also become familiar with trainees from other intakes in your time spent in the different departments during your training contract. Work colleagues of all levels frequently congregate after work in Exchange Square in the summer months or in nearby Spitalfields Market or Brick Lane in the winter. It is traditional that on each seat rotation you will be welcomed to a new department by way of handover events where the associates and partners organise an evening out to get to know you in an informal situation over some food, drinks and perhaps an activity such as a pool competition. There are numerous opportunities to get involved in graduate recruitment events; I have had fun seeing Wicked in the West End with a vacation scheme and on regular trips to my old university for recruitment dinners. I visit Columbia Road nursery school on a monthly basis as part of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, where many of the children do not speak English as a first language at home. I also attend weekly Mandarin lessons organised by a fellow trainee.
I have never felt at a disadvantage working at Herbert Smith as a non-law graduate. In fact, the attractiveness of working at Herbert Smith is the coming together of people from all different academic backgrounds, with the goal of maintaining and extending the excellent reputation of the firm.