A Day in the Life of a Trainee

Christina is a first year trainee at Rollits in Hull. Christina’s current seat is in the Dispute Resolution Department. Below, she gives us his account of what it’s like to be a first year trainee at Rollits, along with her description of a typical day at work!

I first heard about Rollits whilst finishing my law degree. I applied for a Training Contract commencing September 2009 whilst studying for my LPC at the College of Law in York and was successful. When I attended the Hull office for my interview I immediately got a feel for the firm and found everyone to be extremely friendly and welcoming. Prior to starting my training contract I was invited, as a guest of the firm, to the JLD Summer Ball. This was a great opportunity to meet other members of Rollits in an informal setting and also other members of the Hull legal community.

I started my training contract in September, and I am thoroughly enjoying the experience and can confirm that everyone is still very nice! My current seat is in Dispute Resolution, which when I first heard that this was going to be my first seat panicked me a little as Litigation during the LPC wasn’t exactly my favourite subject! I was also obviously quite nervous and not really sure of what to expect. However, I can honestly say that my time spent in the department has been nothing but a good experience. I am quite lucky that there are two trainees in the Dispute Resolution department at the moment and that I know James from my LPC, which has made settling in a bit easier. I share an office with my supervisor, who along with the other members of the department are welcoming to even what seems like the most obvious of questions! The open door policy at Rollits was a factor that attracted me to apply to the firm. I definitely feel that I can approach members of all levels in the firm with any query I have with regard to the work I am doing. It’s also very helpful when you get lost around the office!

During the four months that I have been with the Dispute Resolution department I have been involved in a variety of matters. Within my first week, I attended court and a client meeting; both great experiences that provided a taste for the work I would be involved in over the next six months. Since then I’ve attended numerous meetings with clients, a Tribunal and a Mediation, all of which being matters that I have been involved with and contributed to. I’ve also had the opportunity to visit a client with the added bonus of sampling grapes from the client’s vineyard! Away from the more typical experiences you would expect, I have also been involved in the preparation of a treasure hunt for intermediaries of the firm...!

Throughout my seat in Dispute Resolution I’ve always been made to feel like part of the team, and any suggestions that I have with regard to matters to which I am involved with are always welcomed. The firm definitely gives trainees responsibility from the start, whilst at the same time providing great support and encouragement. A typical day of a trainee isn’t really that typical! Depending on what work is coming into the department and what assistance is needed by the other members can dictate a typical day. The variety of work is very interesting; in particular I would now even say that Dispute Resolution is a department that I would definitely consider qualifying into.

I am not originally from Hull, and was primarily attracted to Rollits due to its size and commercial nature. I have been made extremely welcome by the firm and can also say that I have not been disappointed with the level of training I have been receiving. The trainees are also actively encouraged to participate in Hull JLD events, so much so that I am now on the 2009/10 committee as Social Secretary along with the President and Secretary also being trainees at Rollits. Although I am only four months into my training contract the experience has definitely been rewarding and exciting so far.