Name: Kathryn Wilkinson

I graduated from Bournemouth University in 1996 with a BSc (Hons) in Clinical Nursing along with a Registered Nurse certification. Post qualification I wanted to progress my career to become a hospital manager so in 1998 I commenced a Masters degree at the University of Nottingham in Health Policy and Organisation, graduating in 2000.

My career pathway changed in 2005 when I undertook the Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Birmingham, followed by the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in York in 2006.

Law might seem a strange career pathway for a nurse to take but I was attracted to Law because I would have the opportunity to deal with both individuals and organisations, also I am extremely analytical and I enjoy debating. I was looking for a challenging career which would have plenty of variety. Law has certainly given me variety; no two clients are ever the same and frequently in Law there is not necessarily one right answer to a problem.

 

Although Medicine and Law are two distinct professions, the skills required for each are invariably similar. Effective time management and organisation, analytical ability, attention to detail, good written and verbal communication skills and being able to deal with people in a wide range of contexts, are all essential qualities in both professions. 

Langleys appealed to me for a number of reasons.  Langleys are an expanding firm with a forward thinking attitude.  They care about clients and have Solicitors specifically dedicated to client care.  I was impressed with the regional high profile Langleys has as a firm, as well as the clients and deals Langleys have been involved in.  I consulted the Legal 500 and Langleys was frequently mentioned.

I was also impressed at Langleys from my interview onwards.  They were interested about what I was like as a person and the skills gained during my previous career.  The office environment was very welcoming and I was immediately made to feel at ease.

My first seat was in the Residential Conveyancing Department.  Conveyancing at Langleys is a large department committed to training. I experienced a sharp learning curve when I commenced my Training Contract.  I ran my own files, every day was different and I was faced with new challenges. One day I could be exchanging on sale and purchase, the next day I could be considering a lease or reporting on the title of a freehold.  I was also involved in managing completions, dealing with mortgages, undertaking and considering searches, preparing for exchange and billing.

 

My second seat was in the Dispute Resolution Unit.  Throughout my seat I have been involved in a huge variety of work which was often highly complex.  I have learned that in Litigation, pre-empting the consequences of any action is essential, as well as being highly organised in order to meet the inevitable Court deadlines.  I was involved in Commercial and Civil cases acting for both Claimant and Defendant. I assisted my supervising Solicitor in matters such as defamation, property litigation including boundary disputes, landlord and tenant issues and relief from forfeiture claims, professional negligence, commercial breach of contract, debt and possession claims, as well as appeals.

 

As a Trainee I have attended and conducted meetings with clients, drafted claim forms, particulars of claim, defenses, counterclaims, witness statements, drafted directions, interim applications, instructions to counsel, researched and instructed experts, written letters of claim, handled new client calls and advice, dealt with incoming post and court documents and frequently attended court.  I have learnt the importance of effective case management and the unpredictability of litigation, and I am gaining experience in negotiating my way around the CPR.

From the start of my Training Contract it was clear that Langleys are committed to their Trainees.  My Training Contract has been consistently hands-on and I have learned by getting involved with clients, their problems and ultimately their case management.  I have been treated as an integral part of the team, which makes you feel respected as a colleague.

 

I have consistently been given challenging and interesting work to undertake and I manage my own time.  I have been encouraged to use my initiative instead of waiting to be instructed on what steps to take next.  I have daily meetings with my supervisor to discuss my work and the law underpinning the files I have been dealing with, providing essential feedback.

 

Langleys has an open door policy where staff are happy to spend time with you discussing matters and to provide direction.  The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly despite the pressure people are under, making Langleys an enjoyable place to work.

 

Name: Jennifer Grant

I read Law at Durham University, graduating in 2003.  I then went on to complete the LPC at the College of Law in York.

I decided to become a Solicitor as I wanted to work in a respected profession where there was scope for progressing my career and where I would be challenged.  I also wanted a job with plenty of variety which allowed me to work in a team and meet new people. 

I chose Langleys as I strongly felt I wanted to work in a multi-disciplined medium sized firm.  I felt this would allow me to receive well-rounded training.  When I started my Training Contract I did not have any strong views about which particular area of law I wanted to specialise. However, working at Langleys gave me the exposure to different areas which helped me to make an informed choice about where I wanted to qualify.

 

Throughout the interview process I was impressed with the atmosphere in the firm and found everybody to be enthusiastic and welcoming.

I started my training in the Conveyancing Division which gave me an excellent grounding in dealing with clients and other professionals. I also gained valuable skills in how to run my own caseload efficiently.

My second seat was in the Family Unit which was an area I had always been keen to try.  This was my first experience of litigation and I enjoyed attending court and drafting pleadings.  I had my first attempt at advocacy in this seat, which was nerve wracking but it gave me a great sense of achievement! 

 

I built on my litigation experience in my third seat in Insurance Law where I ran my own caseload of small claims files along with assisting senior fee earners with research on defendant personal injury files. 

My final seat was in Employment Law where most of my experience centred around respondent cases.  I learned valuable drafting skills as well as gaining experience attending employment tribunals.  I enjoyed the mixture of contentious and non-contentious work in this department.

I enjoy working at Langleys as it provides a professional yet friendly environment.  Aside from work, the social committee arrange lots of events which allow people to get to know one another which I have enjoyed getting involved in. 

 

I have recently qualified into the Family Unit and enjoy the variety which my caseload offers.