Nicky Griffiths Relates Her Experience As A Barlow Robbins LLP Trainee
I am currently in the final seat of my training contract and am fortunate enough to be remaining with the firm on qualification and joining the Residential Property department. I have been encouraged throughout my training to commit to the firm and reassured that the firm aims to keep its trainees on qualification wherever possible and that it is a two way investment. However, more than that, I have been encouraged to do what is right for me – a key feature of the firm is the focus on the individual. I have always felt able to be myself and express my views, within reason of course.
The firm tries to ensure you have a broad training across the different practice areas. I have always been fairly committed to the private client side of the business and the firm has bent over backwards to try to accommodate my seat preferences. These seats have also been spread across the different offices. I have been lucky enough to have spent some time in each of the offices – Litigation (Guildford, Oriel), Residential Property (Godalming), Probate, Wills & Trusts (Guildford, Quarry Street with a brief spell in the Woking office), Family (Guildford, Quarry Street). This has meant that I have got to know a lot of people in the firm and it has also given me a very broad overview of the workings of each office, the different practice areas and the firm as a whole.
Although the pace, work load (and sometimes stress levels!) differ from seat to seat, what has been a common theme is good quality work, lots of client contact and plenty of responsibility. The firm really believes in teamwork and giving your best. As a trainee I have felt very supported by not only my Supervising Partners (in whose room you mostly sit) but also by the support staff. In addition, the firm runs a confidential mentor scheme for trainees.
Barlow Robbins LLP is a very friendly firm in which to work and expects the highest quality of work and dedication to clients. However, this is not at the expense of a work/life balance and social activities. The trainee group is actively encouraged to socialise together and this has been invaluable throughout my training. It is always good to get together to compare notes and have a gossip.
In addition, there are other groups in the area that trainees are encouraged to join eg Young Surrey Resolution (for family lawyers). There are also opportunities for pro bono work (which always makes you feel good about yourself – knowing you are doing something useful for the community) such as the Surrey Law Centre and the Citizens Advice Bureau. The Professional Skills element of the training is run through Law South, a group of law firms in the South East, giving the opportunity to meet other trainees and share experiences.
My route to Barlow Robbins LLP was fairly conventional (if a few years later than a lot of people!) – Law & European Studies degree at Surrey University and LPC at College of Law, Guildford. I have worked as a legal secretary previously and done vacation schemes in two London firms. I would advise anyone applying for a training contract to get as much experience as they can in law firms as it not only looks good on your CV but also really does help when you get into the work place.
