Charlie Hylton-Potts relates his experience as a Barlow Robbins LLP trainee

What struck me from day one of my training contract was that the next two years would be filled with good quality work and plenty of responsibility.  As I write this, with 6 months left until I qualify, I am confident that I have a sound, broad basis on which to build my career.

Having worked as a paralegal in City firms for two years prior to the start of my contract, I had become somewhat disillusioned by the monotonous and administrative nature of such roles.  I had spent far too much time being hypnotised by the photocopier’s glare.  I was ready to start actually making use of what I had learnt on the GDL and LPC.

It was refreshing to enter an environment where I was given the opportunity and encouragement to try my hand at anything.

My first seat was in Dispute Resolution which provided a welcome challenge and steep learning curve.  Within the first month, I was taking instructions from clients, advising them in meetings and conducting advocacy in the County Court.  Over the course of the seat, my advocacy experience totalled seven mortgage repossession hearings, an appearance before a High Court Master and an application by telephone to gain permission for our client to instruct his own expert witness.

I worked on a wide variety of cases, ranging from commercial contract disputes and professional negligence to judicial review and boundary disputes.  I even had a few of my own files – the definite highpoint of the seat was running from start to finish an appeal to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, winning permanent leave to remain in the UK for my client.

My second seat led me to the Residential Property Department in Godalming. Working in a Grade II Listed house complete with creaky floorboards, several ghosts (apparently!) and a large garden in which to enjoy the lunchtime sun showed me a completely different side to the firm.

I handled all aspects of the conveyancing process.  Responsibility grew over the six months and, by the end of the seat, I was running my own files and covering other fee earners’ caseloads whilst they were on holiday.

My third seat was in the IP/IT Department in Woking, which I requested having done the LPC elective.  This gave me the commercial exposure to round off my training, giving an excellent mix of contentious and non-contentious work, from writing letters before action and issuing claims to reviewing and drafting licences and sponsorship agreements.  I am now completing my final seat in the Employment Department at Woking.

In all seats, you sit with a partner who is more than happy to answer your questions, but always encourages you to have a go yourself first.  You get the essential feedback you need in order to develop.  If that support was not enough, there is also a mentor scheme so that each trainee has someone with whom to chat about any issues (confidentially) or even just to have a pub lunch with!

From the pro bono perspective, I have advised members of the public at Woking and Guildford Citizens Advice Bureaux and the firm advises a number of charities, so you have the opportunity to “give something back”.  The current trainees have launched a pro bono scheme to assist local charities with the intention of passing it on to future trainees. 

Obviously, the rough comes with the smooth.  You will inevitably have to do a bit of photocopying and administrative work along the way, but it is definitely in the minority.  Compared to the experiences my friends have had in the City, I can really promote the quality of the Barlow Robbins LLP training contract.

I applied to Barlow Robbins LLP because it provided a full range of legal services which included my interests and choice of electives.  It offered the responsibility and challenge I was looking for, high quality work with lots of client contact.  Needless to say, it has not disappointed.  The mix of commercial and private client work has advanced my legal knowledge and practical thinking in all areas and I feel ready for qualification.

Perhaps more importantly than anything is that Barlow Robbins LLP is a friendly firm, the vibes of which were apparent in my interview, and ultimately this was the reason why I accepted their offer.  There is a decent crowd to have drinks with and there are regular events such as wine tastings and quizzes to get involved in.

On the whole, I would recommend a training contract at Barlow Robbins LLP to someone who is looking for something more than being a small cog in a large machine.  Here, you have the opportunity to take charge of how you develop and are valued as a fee-earning member of the firm.