Day in the life of a Trainee Solicitor - Kuran Phull

09.30am

To start my day, I often stop for a coffee on my way into the office, taking advantage of the abundance of cafes near our Liverpool Street location. Upon arriving, the first thing I do is check my emails and my calendar. I am currently in my first seat in the international arbitration team. As a US firm with a globally connected practice, the international arbitration team frequently collaborates across jurisdictions. This means I often receive emails overnight from colleagues in different countries and time zones.

With any urgent matters addressed, I turn to writing my daily to-do list, which serves as my roadmap for the day ahead.

10am

As I am working across a few cases at the moment, there is usually either a filing deadline or a hearing to prepare for. I usually aim to get the most substantive task on my to-do list done in the morning. I find it easier to focus and it starts my day off on a positive note. Typical trainee responsibilities in international arbitration include researching case law to support or challenge arguments, as well as reviewing draft scripts for opening statements.

I am currently supporting the team in drafting a Post-Hearing Brief, which involves analysing hearing transcripts and researching specific points of international law. The partners and associates take the time to provide context for each task, which helps me to understand how my work contributes to the broader case strategy.

12.30pm

The firm has recently introduced a trainee mentorship scheme, which pairs new trainees with more experienced colleagues, allowing you to ask questions and discuss experiences. As a part of the scheme, the firm frequently sponsors lunches and coffees which creates an informal space to chat about our time at the firm, as well as anything else that interests us. In addition to the mentorship lunches, the firm hosts staff lunches that celebrate various diversity and inclusion initiatives, with the focus changing each month to highlight different communities and cultures.

1.30pm

After lunch, I am back at my desk checking my emails and preparing for any upcoming calls I have. Many cases have regular weekly or bi-weekly calls scheduled, which allows the team to catch up on various work streams. An interesting aspect of these team meetings is that they often bring together associates from different departments. This cross-departmental collaboration allows trainees to gain exposure to perspectives beyond our current seat placement.

Trainees also have frequent one-to-one meetings with the Training Principal. These sessions allow us to discuss the progress of our current seat, and to address any questions we might have.

3pm

Throughout the day, there are usually a number of opportunities to speak with my supervising solicitor or the associates I am working with. The afternoon is usually a good time to speak with colleagues about the cases that I have been working on, and to ask any questions that may have arisen from the work I have completed. Seeking feedback on completed work is something I naturally try to incorporate into my approach. It helps to develop professional skills and shows the team that I am enthusiastic about the case. Having completed my tasks, I usually speak with an associate about my findings or to ask any questions I have.

5.30pm

As the day progresses and I complete my work, new tasks will often land on my desk with varying degrees of urgency. Staying on top of everything is vital, and I find that updating my to-do list helps to keep me organised so that I do not forget about any impending deadlines.

Depending on the day, there may be a firm social event after work. Every Thursday, the firm hosts an evening social which usually includes pizza/canapes and drinks. This is a great opportunity to learn about the firm in an informal setting, as I can often catch up with colleagues or meet people across different practice groups.

7pm

After commuting home, I check to see if there is anything urgent that needs to be dealt with in the evening. Working in a team that is truly international can require flexibility. If there is nothing urgent, I can monitor my emails on my phone and unwind for the rest of the evening.