I began my training contract at Dawsons in September 2008. Having graduated with a degree in Ancient History from Bristol University in 2005 I then completed the GDL and the LPC at BPP in Holborn, London before spending a year as a paralegal.
I was attracted to Dawsons mainly due to its reputation of providing a good range of high quality work, in the environment of a mid-sized firm, with the firm's historic location in Lincoln's Inn being an added attraction. When I started my training contract I found that the assistants and partners were quick to welcome the new trainees and the atmosphere at the firm is genuinely very friendly, with everyone willing to answer even the most basic questions. Each trainee shares a room with a partner, which although daunting at first, provides some valuable insights into each of their working practices. I have also found you receive work from a range of people across the department giving each trainee a variety of work and enabling you to integrate fully into the team. It is not long before you know everyone in the firm.
My first seat was in the Corporate Commercial Department where initially I was involved in dealing with some trade mark registrations and general commercial contracts, as well as drafting a due diligence report and some of the documents for a corporate group restructuring. I was also involved in the share sale of a client's private company to a German PLC. This provided me with some great experience being involved in the team from the beginning to the end of the transaction.
My second seat was in the Employment Department where I gained experience drafting grievance letters, claim forms, drafting and negotiating compromise agreements, attending meetings with clients and counsel, and attending the Employment Tribunal. I was also lucky enough to be involved in a very large sex discrimination case which settled on the day that the hearing was due to begin. My third seat was in the Property Department where I have drafted sale contracts and transfers of title and helped deal with the first registration of a client's estate, which involved trawling through some very dirty and smelly deeds, some of which dated back to the 17th century.
I have now just returned to the Corporate Commercial Department to finish my training.
I have found that the work varies hugely from department to department both in complexity and in nature but I have always found that whoever distributes the work is willing to spend time explaining fully not only what they require from you but also the overall background of the case. All in all I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year as a trainee at Dawsons and am looking forward to the rest of my last seat.
I was attracted to Dawsons mainly due to its reputation of providing a good range of high quality work, in the environment of a mid-sized firm, with the firm's historic location in Lincoln's Inn being an added attraction. When I started my training contract I found that the assistants and partners were quick to welcome the new trainees and the atmosphere at the firm is genuinely very friendly, with everyone willing to answer even the most basic questions. Each trainee shares a room with a partner, which although daunting at first, provides some valuable insights into each of their working practices. I have also found you receive work from a range of people across the department giving each trainee a variety of work and enabling you to integrate fully into the team. It is not long before you know everyone in the firm.
My first seat was in the Corporate Commercial Department where initially I was involved in dealing with some trade mark registrations and general commercial contracts, as well as drafting a due diligence report and some of the documents for a corporate group restructuring. I was also involved in the share sale of a client's private company to a German PLC. This provided me with some great experience being involved in the team from the beginning to the end of the transaction.
My second seat was in the Employment Department where I gained experience drafting grievance letters, claim forms, drafting and negotiating compromise agreements, attending meetings with clients and counsel, and attending the Employment Tribunal. I was also lucky enough to be involved in a very large sex discrimination case which settled on the day that the hearing was due to begin. My third seat was in the Property Department where I have drafted sale contracts and transfers of title and helped deal with the first registration of a client's estate, which involved trawling through some very dirty and smelly deeds, some of which dated back to the 17th century.
I have now just returned to the Corporate Commercial Department to finish my training.
I have found that the work varies hugely from department to department both in complexity and in nature but I have always found that whoever distributes the work is willing to spend time explaining fully not only what they require from you but also the overall background of the case. All in all I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year as a trainee at Dawsons and am looking forward to the rest of my last seat.