James Peel is a first year trainee at Rollits in Hull. His current seat is in the Company and Commercial Department. Below, he gives us an account of what it's like to be a trainee at Rollits, along with his description of a typical day at work!

I am a few weeks into my training contract at Rollits, which commenced at the start of September. I had undertaken a fortnight of work experience with the firm during the summer of last year, and enjoyed it so much that I decided to apply for a training contract with Rollits. When I was offered the job after my interview, I accepted it immediately. Even in that short space of time, I realised that Rollits was the place I wanted to work due to a strong combination of the firm's people, practice areas and reputation.

My first seat with Rollits is in the firm's Company Commercial department. All trainees share an office with a more senior fee earner, who can supply you not only with appropriate work but also excellent guidance. One of the partners in the department is my trainee supervisor - you find yourself therefore constantly picking up new knowledge, both in one-to-one discussions and by 'osmosis'. Everybody across the firm is willing and very much able to give you advice, however - the firm has an open door policy, so it has been very easy to settle in.

In terms of actual work undertaken, Rollits are very keen for trainees to experience as much as possible in their particular seats. On the corporate side, I have been required to file documents with Companies House, produce company search reports, update company registers and was involved with transferring a shelf company to a client. I have also been asked to do legal research and produce reports on my findings regarding how they apply to a client's specific situation. Additionally, trainees are involved in the due diligence process for any business acquisitions - you become a part of matters from the very beginning, which is a great way to develop.

As well as corporate law, I have also been involved with commercial work. One especially interesting task was to produce a report on the application of a recently introduced EC law to a client's business. I then attended the meeting where they received the advice, and have since been involved with the subsequent route of action.

Moving on to Hull itself as a place, I don't really need to mention how it sometimes "gets a bad press" but the truth is, it is very much taking a turn for the better. I am from West Hull but spent my university and law college days away from the city, and it has changed immensely from when I first left. Newcomers to Hull tend to be surprised by the vast range of things to do here, and Hull City's excellent start to their maiden Premiership season has given a further boost to what was already a rapidly burgeoning sense of local pride. If you factor in Hull's other top flight teams (two rugby league, one ice hockey) then there is plenty to satisfy sports fans. As well as this there are four cinemas, plenty of shops and a wide variety of museums, which are mostly free.

Additionally, Hull has its own branch of the Junior Lawyers' Division, which organises events throughout the year, including quizzes, sports tournaments, barbecues and a ball. People are encouraged to get involved, and as the newly-appointed Treasurer, I am looking forward to more events over the coming year.

To find out more about becoming a trainee at Rollits, please visit our Graduate Recruitment page