Trainee solicitors

I am currently in my first seat of my Training Contract in the Contracts and Project Advisory Team.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first seat and the wide variety of experience I have had so far. To date, I have undertaken high-level reviews of contracts and subcontracts, advised clients on their standard appointment terms and conditions and written detailed advice notes for clients on topical subjects (including the Building Safety Act and the new ‘UKCA’ requirements).

Something that I was perhaps not expecting but has been a key factor in my enjoyment has been the fact that I feel comfortable talking to and learning from all members of my team, whatever their role/ experience. The size of the firm and the interconnectedness of its departments leads to an incredibly welcoming and collaborative workplace.

I have also enjoyed the opportunity to attend business development events, such as an all day AIA International Conference, and to get involved with writing several articles for the website.

I feel that I have learnt and got so much out of my Training Contract already, and I am excited to see what different experiences I will have throughout my remaining three seats.

I am approaching the end of my first seat as a Trainee Solicitor in Beale & Co’s London office, where I have sat with the Contentious Construction team.

As market leaders in the construction sector, the team at Beales regularly work on high-value, complex, multi-party disputes, and I have been heavily involved from the outset. A real benefit of the firm’s small trainee intake is that you are given a huge amount of responsibility, which is well balanced by the hands-on support from lawyers who are experts in their field.

My first seat has offered a range of litigation experience, including conferences with Counsel, drafting letters of response, and attending mediations and court hearings. For example, I recently prepared the bundle for and attended an application hearing for a multi-party dispute over a large mixed-use development which is valued in excess of £80 million. Throughout my involvement in this matter, my contribution has felt valued, and the advantage of trainees sharing an office with a partner is that I have been able to learn quickly and ask questions along the way.

Development as a trainee at Beales is also facilitated by the extensive Trainee Training Programme the firm holds, which involves a series of presentations given by the lawyers to the trainees on the firm’s key practice areas and topical issues.

Outside of work, the firm places emphasis on trainee’s involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, and I have already had the opportunity to be involved in a number of fundraiser events for construction industry charity CRASH.

I now look forward to my second seat, where I will be seconded to Atkins Limited to spend 6 months with their Nuclear & Power team.

During the first seat of my traineeship, I have sat within Beale & Co’s Financial Speciality and Risks team.

The matters I have been involved with include defending directors’ and officers’ liability claims, pursuing insurers for double insurance contributions in a multijurisdictional context and protecting non-profit organisations from reputational damage. Due to the agile nature of the firm, I have also had the opportunity to get involved with contentious construction matters which has been helpful in gaining insights as to the different practice areas of the firm and how they operate. My experiences across both departments cover: drafting advice notes and pleadings, preparing instructions to counsel, attending court hearings, and liaising with insurers to inform of case developments.

Since the start of my training contract, I have been made to feel as a valued member of the team at Beale & Co with tangible levels of responsibility on complex and high value matters whilst also being given the opportunity to progress my own caseload on debt claims and smaller insurer instructions. The balance allows for trainees to learn from their capable seniors whilst also implementing their learnings within their own caseload from the outset.

Aside from the 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 Beale & Co 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.

Firm culture was an important consideration for me, as it should be for prospective trainees, when applying for Beale & Co; 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 practice in. 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 first seat experiences at Beale & Co and I look forward to developing further during my second seat with the Contentious Construction team.

I am approaching completion of my third seat during which I have been with the Health and Safety Contentious Construction team.

The firm’s established Health and Safety practice continues to grow following an increase in the HSE’s roles and responsibilities within the built environment sector. The team’s service offering on all aspects of investigation and enforcement action and prosecution has enabled me to experience a diverse workload over the last 5 months. During this seat I have attended coroners’ inquests, supported clients with HSE investigations and assisted with advice on a range of health and safety issues pertaining to construction. There is always the opportunity to be involved with extra-curricular business development activities within the team, which provide greater exposure to the issues that the industry faces. I have enjoyed the opportunity to expand my knowledge base in this multi-faceted practice area during a pivotal time within the construction industry.

An invaluable opportunity available during a training contract at Beales is to complete a seat on an in-house secondment with a variety of clients in the construction and insurance industries. I completed my second seat with the Nuclear & Power team at Atkins Limited during which I completed a non-contentious project advisory seat. During this six-month period, I experienced working on the client-side, which highlighted the contrasting legal style and commercial considerations compared with private practice. The chance to be collaborate with the different business teams to reach viable commercial solutions on a variety of interesting projects is less accessible in private practice and this involvement with the business truly improved the quality of my advice. I would highly recommend capitalising on a secondment opportunity as you will learn vital, transferable skills that will enhance your professional development, whilst expanding your own network within the legal industry.

As a trainee at Beales, I have benefited from the opportunity to tailor my training contract to pursue my interests. Having completed and enjoyed my first seat in Contentious Construction, I was able to request another Contentious Construction seat for my third seat. The flexibility of the training contract structure at Beales is unique, as it facilitates the development of specialist knowledge throughout the two-year training period. Equally, the range of practice areas at the firm encourages trainees to explore various sectors and delivers a diverse training contract. The ability for trainees to take ownership of their training with a firm that accommodates these choices heightens the value of pursuing a legal career with Beales.

Since the start of my training contract, trainees have been encouraged to take an active a role in the firm’s business development. I regularly draft articles for the website and client notes, which are equally beneficial tasks for maintaining commercial and industry awareness. Outside of the office, there are frequent opportunities to get involved with the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. So far, I have volunteered my time at numerous fundraiser events for construction industry charity CRASH, in addition to having delivered a presentation skills session to primary school classes with my colleagues.

I greatly value the variety of work and opportunities that have arisen during my training contract so far and look forward to developing my experience and skills further as I approach qualification.

I began my legal journey studying undergraduate Law at Newcastle University. Thereafter I completed my Masters in Law and LPC followed by a year out, prior to starting my Training Contract.

So far as a Trainee I have worked on a wide variety of matters. Highlights have included adjudications, court work including a multiparty litigation in excess of £30m and pre-action work defending architects, engineers, and surveyors. At Beale & Co you are aware of the wealth of expertise at your fingertips, and are encouraged to use it in order to develop your technical legal know-how and wider professional skills. During the training contract you benefit from sharing an office with a Partner, which provides for a very well-rounded training experience.

I have spent my third seat on Secondment at an external international construction and consultancy firm. This has been a brilliant experience and I have gained hands on experience of live projects, and an understanding of how the make-up of a contract has tangible ramifications on site. I have also enjoyed advising on contractual terms for high value bids, and negotiating final terms when those bids are successful.

Lastly, at Beale & Co I have found that a culture of respect is pervasive and hard work is rewarded. You are encouraged to develop your own professional style and are given ample opportunities to do so.

For anyone who enjoys diverse and interesting work, with a specific interest in the construction and insurance industries, I would recommend applying for a training contract at Beale & Co.

Since joining Beale & Co, I have enjoyed being part of a firm with cross border capabilities that offers multi-jurisdictional work. I spent the first year of my training contract in the contentious construction, engineering and infrastructure team. Everyone was always willing to discuss the strategy for a case to develop my commercial acumen, alongside providing detailed feedback for tasks. For example, I was involved in a multi-million pound fee adjudication claim for an international consulting engineer and enjoyed the collaborative nature of being given my own responsibilities and contributing to a successful win for our client.

I am on secondment for my third seat and currently working for a multinational engineering and design company. Alongside developing relationships with our client’s internal departments and legal team, this experience has enabled me to understand the commercial decision-making our clients face in order to appreciate their needs, alongside providing me with invaluable industry knowledge. I have enjoyed contributing to high value projects with areas of cross border law, such as negotiating or drafting commercial agreements and found it easy to approach the team with any questions.

Alongside being involved in business development matters at Beale & Co such as writing articles and attending client meetings with partners, trainees are actively involved in the firm’s Corporate social responsibility activities. As a result, I recently participated in a landscaping and habitat survey volunteering day at Cody Dock, East London. Additionally, social events are organised regularly throughout the year, and this allows trainees to get to know their colleagues across all offices which breeds a healthy and positive atmosphere.