Trainee Corner: Emma’s Path to Family Law
After completing my training contract at GA Solicitors, I am delighted to have qualified as a solicitor in the family team, specialising in divorce, financial remedy, and children arrangements. This is the area in which I wished to qualify from the outset, though my journey took me through several other practice areas first.
Why I chose GA Solicitors for my training contract:
The legal profession is inherently demanding, but my experiences before joining GA as a trainee had shown me the critical importance of strong mentorship from experienced team members throughout the training programme. Timely feedback and support are also key to long-term development.
These were the determining features of GA, which ultimately made me choose them for my training contract, as I felt that this would be most beneficial for my career.
My experience as a trainee:
My training contract commenced in 2023 in the residential conveyancing team. This first seat provided me with invaluable experience in property transactions and taught me the importance of meticulous attention to detail.
My second seat proved enriching, as I spent six months working across personal injury and clinical negligence. This dual exposure was fascinating, allowing me to develop advocacy and case management skills I hadn’t previously practiced in a professional setting. One of my personal highlights was working on contentious matters and seeing how the law directly impacts people’s lives during difficult times.
I was guided by the training principal, Lucy Foster, who provided exceptional advice and mentorship. We had regular progress discussions, and she was consistently an accessible and supportive resource for me. It was also a bonus that there were a number of other trainees going through the process, and we all supported and encouraged each other throughout.
Although I had previously worked as a family legal advisor and knew this was my ultimate goal, I deliberately approached each seat with an open mind. The final twelve months of my training contract were spent with family, and I knew I truly found my calling.
Within my current role as a family law solicitor, a particular aspect I enjoy is using the knowledge and skills I have developed to assist clients through some of life’s most challenging transitions, whether that involves divorce proceedings, financial settlements, or child arrangements.
My advice to prospective applicants:
The most important aspect of a training contract is training somewhere that enables you to build the skills and knowledge necessary to become a competent solicitor. To this end, I highly recommend undertaking a training contract at GA Solicitors in Plymouth.
It is also beneficial to choose a firm which works across multiple disciplines, even if you aren’t necessarily interested in qualifying into them. This exposure allows you to develop transferable skills and, like many trainees at GA, you may discover unexpected interests. The support, guidance, and contact time afforded to trainees by partners and senior solicitors at GA, across a wide range of practice areas, is truly exceptional.
Be yourself, remain open-minded, and embrace every opportunity to learn. Your training contract is a unique period of professional development. Make the most of it!
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