It is hard to believe I am already nearly at end of the first seat of my training contract at Jacksons. When I commenced my training contract in January, I was nervous to be working in a department I wasn’t familiar with, having not had any experience in that area since studying corporate-focused modules at university. However, I had always thought it was a department I was particularly interested in working in, so I was looking forward to getting started.
I can now say I have really enjoyed my time in the Corporate Commercial department. Head of Department, Peter, and the whole team have been so welcoming and supportive and are always there to help if I have a question or need some help. I have also enjoyed the variation of work that comes into the department – no business, client or matter is the same. Corporate matters also often tend to involve collaborative work with other departments within the firm, which has been beneficial as I’ve been able to work with colleagues in different departments and see how the different areas overlap and relate to each other.
As I look back over the past five months, I realise how much I’ve been exposed to in a short space of time. From conducting research on particular points of law, to drafting partnership agreements and amending company’s articles of association. I have particularly enjoyed getting involved in the transactional work, including assisting with due diligence enquiries and drafting ancillary documents relating to transactions from both a buyer and seller perspective, to preparing initial drafts of sale and purchase agreements. As a trainee at Jacksons, we are given a good level of responsibility and are encouraged to give things a go, whilst knowing we have the support and guidance of the team whenever we need it.
Although I feel as though there is still a lot for me to learn, I would have never believed in my first week in the department that I would be able to do the things I now can. As every trainee will tell you, you finally start to feel like things are falling into place, you get to know your team and the way they work, and then you realise it’s nearly time to move into a new department and onto your next seat!
As I prepare to begin my next seat in our Residential Conveyancing department, I am looking forward to learning more about a different area of law, developing a different set of skills and getting to work with a new team. Nerves and anticipation are normal, but there is a sense of reassurance knowing that everyone at Jacksons understands how you feel, and most have been in the same position themselves at some point!
