Interview with Anna Woodcock
As Anna approaches the second year of her Training Contract, we caught up with her to find out how she's settled in to life at Wake Smith and what the stand out moments are from her learning experience so far...
Why did you apply for a training contract with Wake Smith / What sets Wake Smith apart from other law firms in the area?
The reality is, most candidates will be applying for as many Training Contracts as they can. Candidates can get fixated on just getting any Training Contract without putting too much thought into where it is and what it involves, as they are hard to get and the competition is fierce.
It is all about personal priorities – what works for you. As an older trainee, my priorities are a bit different to most students (who are over 10 years my junior!) who apply for Training Contracts. I prioritised location, work life balance and size of the firm. I like to cycle to work, and Wake Smith’s office is a great distance from my house. The office also has a bike cage and showers which is essential for me. I did not want to go into a huge firm - in my previous career, I was ‘just a number’ being part of a huge organisation, and I didn’t want to repeat that. However, at the time of applying for Training Contracts, I didn’t know the area of law I wanted to go into, so I needed one big enough to provide me with a variety of areas to experience. Wake Smith seemed a perfect mid-range size for me to gain the experience I needed to discover my chosen area of law, whilst being a valued member of the firm. There is a definite family feel to Wake Smith, in that any employee whether a trainee, paralegal, legal exec, secretary, director, associate or solicitor will know your name, help where they can and genuinely be approachable.
What has been your most memorable moment to date?
I have had a few memorable moments during my Training Contract. Being involved in a Joint Settlement Meeting in my first seat (clinical negligence) and watching our client’s face when he accepted a multi-million pound settlement and realised the years of legal battles were finally over for him. In my second seat (private client) receiving a thank you card and bunch of flowers from a client for the work I did on their Will. Completing the Edale Skyline challenge with the Charity Board this year. These are all close contenders, but if I had to pick one, it would be the cliché of finishing my LPC. I started my training contract whilst still completing my final LPC exams. After 4 years of studying part time and working full time (2 years GDL and 2 years LPC) , that first working day after my last exam, cycling home knowing the evening was mine and not having to study was absolute bliss!
What has been the most valuable experience?
Discovering what I don’t want to do. If you are really unsure as to what area of law you want to specialise in, start with what you don’t like. Then look at what area offers the complete opposite!
Which seat have you enjoyed the most and why?
I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every seat, and they have been so different it is hard to compare. My 1st seat was clinical negligence – an absolutely fascinating area of law with some cases taking you on a roller coaster of emotions. The clin neg team are an absolutely cracking group of people, I genuinely enjoyed every day working with them, and think that anyone who has a seat here will enjoy it.
My second seat, Private client – it stole my heart. I love going on home visits and the intimate nature of the work. It was an extremely busy seat due to work load, but being thrown in at the deep end I learnt so much. Again, the team are inspiring and I feel privileged to have worked with them.
It is still early days in my 3rd seat. It is Litigation, but basically a 3 in one mix of contentious probate, employment and property litigation. It is a complete gear change for me and it feels like a lot to learn! Once again, the team are great, and I am already enjoying the variety of work that I am assisting with.
What area of law are you hoping to go in to, has this changed since you started your training contract?
When I decided to study law, I initially wanted to be a criminal solicitor. Criminal law is exciting – you don’t often get films and tv shows based on an employment or commercial property dispute! The court room dramas and whodunits are based on criminal cases (fictitious or other wise) because it is emotional, gripping or shocking. Also, my previous career was in law enforcement and it felt a natural step for me. However, as I studied and got to grips with the realities of the job, I realised that it wasn’t for me, and actually, civil law is just as fascinating as criminal law. I knew I wanted a Monday to Friday Job, which criminal law cannot offer. Half way through my second seat, I knew Wills, Trusts and Probate was the one. It is such an important area of law that helps so many people. Yes, it can be hard, but also very rewarding. You are helping people to carry out their last wishes and navigate difficult subjects. No, it isn’t always glamourous, but you discover people’s life stories, you laugh and cry with your clients and are there at very personal moments in people’s lives. I can see myself working in this area of law until I retire (in hopefully 30 years!)
As you enter your second year of your training contract, what are your goals for the next 12 months?
Absorb as much knowledge as I can. I have learnt that each area of law entwines with another. The broader your experience, the better solicitor you will be.
Top tips to make the most of your training contract?
- Enjoy it!
- If you are not happy about something, tell someone. There is no point sitting and stewing. You are not a tree – move and do something about your situation.
- Learn from your mistakes.
- Learn from your fellow trainees, your mentors, your whole team. You can learn something from EVERYONE.
- Write everything down, and take the time to read what you’ve written down.
- Proof read everything you send – and proof read it again.
- Don’t get rid of your LPC/SQE notes – they are handy to flick through.
- Take on responsibility – it will be good experience for when you qualify.
Top tips for settling into a new seat?
- As soon as you find out the seat you are going into, contact the head of department – it’s just common courtesy. Introduce yourself and ask what the ongoing matters are to do some pre reading.
- If you have not studied that area of law before, research and build a foundation of knowledge. If you have studied it, refresh yourself.
Speak up. If you don’t understand something, ask. If you are not comfortable with something, tell the person who set you the task. - Get involved. Spend time reading ongoing matters so you know what your team is working on. Volunteer for events. Be prepared to be flexible and say yes to everything - You only have 6 months in a seat and it will fly by so make the most of it.
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To hear more from Anna and our current trainees watch our webinar 'Insights to Wake Smith Training Contracts' click below.
Published 04/10/24