Aidan Johnson – Trainee Blog

March 2024

I have really enjoyed my first month in the Property department and I have been kept very busy! I have enjoyed adapting to a new area of law and working with a new team, everyone has been very helpful.

I have been able to assist the team on a number of tasks which are new to me. Earlier in the month I was able to assist on the completion of a complex transaction for a property development matter. I also had the chance to conduct lease reports and make amendments to existing leases for a lease renewal matter which we have been working on, I found the drafting tasks really useful. Research tasks are not as common as a trainee in the Property department, but I have been asked to research a fairly niche area of property law which I found interesting!

I have been really busy so far this month, but I am looking forward to the rest of my seat and having more opportunities to learn.

February 2024

The end of this month marks the end of my first seat as a trainee at Rollits, I cannot believe how quickly it has gone!  I have really enjoyed my time in the Company and Commercial department, and it feels strange to be moving departments already.

I have been pretty busy this month with lots of corporate and charities work.  For the Corporate team I have conducted some research on fairly a challenging issue, as well as drafting a debenture for one of our larger clients.  I have carried out quite a lot of interesting research on Charities matters, I also had the opportunity to prepare and attend a trustee meeting on behalf of the Charities team.

I had quite a busy month away from the desk.  Earlier this month, I went back to St Marys College to attend a careers fair which was very successful.  Rollits hosted an open day in our Hull office for Hymers College Law Society, I had the responsibility of delivering a presentation on legal career paths.  It was also nice to attend my first Hull Young Professionals event with some of my work colleagues.

January 2024

On my first day back in the office I assisted the corporate team on the completion of a share buyback agreement for one of our clients. This involved preparing all of the documents ready for execution and distributing them in the client meeting. Throughout January I have been involved in some of the earlier stages of a capital reduction procedure as well as a company acquisition. Both of these procedures are new to me, so I have really enjoyed being involved in them.

I have been able to get involved with a lot of charities work this month and I was able to attend a trustee meeting which I found very interesting. I have really enjoyed the varied workload that I have received in this department.

Rollits also held the Annual Staff Conference at the MKM this month, which was a great way to meet some colleagues from outside of the Company & Commercial department.

December 2023

I have had a varied workload this month, which has been a great way to end 2023. I spent a lot of time at the start of this month preparing a confidential bundle of documents for one of our key clients in the Company and Commercial department. I have also been able to assist on a charities/corporate matter by providing research and guidance for a potential Multi Academy Trust merger.

Rollits have hosted several events this month in the lead up to Christmas, it has been nice to be able to spend time with some of my colleagues outside of the office.

November 2023

I have assisted the Employment team by conducting research on some interesting areas of employment law. This has included dismissing employees for conduct outside of the workplace, continuation/termination of employment following the death of an employer, and the implications of a positive workplace drug test.

For the Corporate team I have been able to review a Franchise Agreement to determine the fees which could be applicable for our client in the event that the franchise is sold. I have also helped the team by carrying out some fairly complex research in order to determine whether a company would be classed as a ‘close company’ for SDLT purposes.

Earlier in the month I participated in the ‘Hull Business Fives’ football tournament with some of my colleagues at Rollits. At this event, we competed against some of the top companies based in Hull. I really enjoyed spending some time outside of the office playing football and trying to raise money for our nominated charity of the year ‘Bliss’. Unfortunately, after a decent run, we were knocked out in the final of our tournament.

October 2023

This month I have had the opportunity to assist the Commercial & IP team by reviewing multiple documents for one of our clients. This included reviewing standard conditions for the sale of goods, supply agreements, framework agreements, as well as a confidentiality and non-circumvention agreement.

I have spent a lot of time undertaking work for the Corporate department. This has included signing and witnessing the execution of a lost share indemnity certificate, drafting client letters, reviewing and drafting shareholders’ agreements, board minutes and written resolutions. I have also been asked to research the shareholdings of particular companies and holding companies which was relevant for the property team in one of their transactions.

For the Employment department I have sat in on several client meetings and taken file notes. I have also been asked to research a number of things for the team, such as complex TUPE matters including individuals based overseas, express and implied variations to contracts of employment, and the rules surrounding inducement claims.

I also helped host one of our events by welcoming guests to our Hull office before they attended the Charities Breakfast Briefing.

September 2023

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first month as a trainee at Rollits!  The workload in the Company and Commercial seat is very varied, so I have had the opportunity to work on a wide range of matters and carry out a variety of tasks.

I have spent most of my time working in the Employment department.  I never studied employment law at university, but I have learned so much already during my first month.  I have conducted research on issues such as potential detriment claims for whistleblowing, the amount of compensation that can be awarded for injury to feelings, the duty of care owed by employers when providing work references and whether employers can require prospective employees to have DBS checks.  I have also had the opportunity to draft and amend consultancy and settlement agreements.

I have also carried out work for the Corporate department, where I have completed company search reports, drafted board minutes and attended client meetings. I also had the chance to work for the Charities team, which involved drafting and amending a model constitution for the incorporation of a charity.

Aside from working in the office, I have been able to represent Rollits outside of the workplace.  During my first week I helped the team host the launch of the Heritage Open Days event, as well as delivering a presentation on legal careers to law students at St Mary’s College.

I am looking forward to learning more throughout the remainder of my first seat.