Trainee solicitors

I have just started my third seat at Beale & Co, sat with the Contracts and Project Advisory Team. I have recently returned from secondment with the in-house legal team at Mace Group and my first seat was in Health and Safety Contentious Construction.

At Beales, I have been able to expand on and find new interests, working alongside knowledgeable legal experts across the Construction, Insurance, Procurement and Competition sectors. The flexible nature of Beales’ training contract means that I have worked with Partners and Associates across the firm’s practice areas, contributing to a well-rounded and invaluable experience. During my first seat, I attended Court and mediations, assisted with advice on construction fire safety issues, and helped draft expert instructions and pleadings.

The secondment opportunity at Beales has been a real highlight of my training contract. Whilst at Mace, I advised consultants and contractors on domestic and international projects. Working directly with in-house lawyers and project teams gave me greater insight into the construction industry, how clients operate, and their needs / concerns from an in-house perspective.

Beales’ ‘open-door’ policy creates a work-place environment which promotes collaboration and sharing of expertise. I have learnt a lot working with different partners, associates and solicitors, gaining confidence and improving my practice.

I am looking forward to the remainder of my training contract and to expanding on the skills and knowledge that I have learnt from my previous seats. To date, training at Beales has been an interesting, enjoyable and rewarding experience.

I have just started my second seat at Beale & Co, sat with the Construction Team. My training at Beales has been enjoyable so far, and I have gained valuable experience. The firm’s unique structure which allows me to manage my own cases while supporting other fee earners has given me hands-on responsibility in complex, high-value matters, all while progressing my own caseload. This balance not only enables me to learn from others but also gives me the freedom to develop my own style, which is actively encouraged here.

So far, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of matters. Noteworthy experiences include court work including multiparty litigation, pre-action work defending architects and engineers, detailed contract reviews, adjudication and negotiations.

Although I am officially sat with the Construction Team, Beales’ flexible approach has allowed me to explore other areas of law, broadening my exposure and learning opportunities. One of the standout aspects of my training at Beales is the incredibly supportive culture. While each trainee has a supervising partner and a designated mentor, all partners, associates, and solicitors are approachable, fostering a collaborative atmosphere conducive to growth.

There are also numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. In addition to internal training sessions, I regularly write financial specialty risks updates which enhance my commercial awareness. As a trainee, I also participate in business development opportunities and networking events, which encourage me to build my professional network early on in my career.

I look forward to what the remainder of my training contract will offer, as my time at Beales has been both rewarding and enriching

I am approaching completion of my third seat during which I have been on secondment with AtkinsRéalis’ Nuclear and Power team.

Whilst on secondment, I have advised upon numerous international and domestic projects across Nuclear and Power, Water, Aviation, and Corporate Services. The exposure to such a variety of projects and internal stakeholders has propelled my understanding of Atkinsréalis’ business and how it operates from a macroeconomic level. One of many secondment highlights has been assisting with the formation of a corporate entity and the subsequent tender bid for a major infrastructure project worth c.£2 billion. Overall, the secondment has been invaluable in understanding how commercial law operates on the client-side whilst also helping to expand my professional network.

Due to the agile nature of Beales, I have had the pleasure of working across the firm’s various practice areas: Contentious Construction, Corporate and Commercial, and Financial and Specialty Risks. The matters I have assisted with include: acting for construction clients in multi-party TCC proceedings, pursuing insurers for double insurance contributions in a multi-jurisdictional context, managing a UAE-based acquisition, advising upon export control laws and overseeing transactional real estate matters.

As a trainee at Beales, I have been made to feel as a valued member of the team with tangible levels of responsibility on complex and high value matters whilst also being given the opportunity to progress my own caseload.

Aside from the trailblazing work itself, professional and personal development has been of high importance with regular internal and external training opportunities for trainees to increase their legal knowledge and to be brought up to speed with the latest industry developments. With Beales being recognised as leaders in advising within the construction and insurance industries, the training offered enables trainees to uphold the firm’s reputation in their work output.

The Firm’s culture has also been a standout feature of my training contract experience; the culture here at Beales is akin to a family dynamic. The “open-door policy” extends to all employees at the firm and facilitates a collaborative atmosphere in which to grow within. As a trainee, I have found it reassuring to be able to query case progression with senior members of the team; aiding efficiency, confidence and working relationships.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my training experience at Beale & Co thus far and look forward to developing my experience and skills further as I approach qualification.