trainee solicitor recruitment programme - sheffield solicitors€¦ · sheffield as a place to live...
TRANSCRIPT
TraineeSolicitorRecruitmentProgramme
Contents
A word from our Chief Executive 4
Why choose Taylor&Emmet? 5
Training & Support 6
Your Training Principal 7
What we can offer you 8
Sheffield as a place to live & work 10
My role as a T&E trainee
– Laura 12
– Sabrina 13
– Oliver 14
– Samantha 15
Application process 16
FAQs 18
www.tayloremmet.co.uk/trainee
A word from our Chief Executive
I am delighted to introduce to you our Trainee Solicitor Prospectus.
Trainee life here at Taylor&Emmet is varied, challenging, demanding, rewarding interesting and - occasionally - fun! We place great importance on developing throughout your Traineeship not only your legal skills but also your commercial and business acumen, irrespective of the discipline in which you may ultimately choose to practice.
A number of our current Trainees feature heavily throughout this prospectus. Turn to pages 12-15 to hear about what they have to say about working at one of the leading law firms in the region.
Anthony LongChief Executive
As one of the leading, full service, law firms in the region, we have a long and successful history of investing in the recruitment and development of talented Trainee Solicitors. I am immensely proud that many of our Trainees have developed very successful careers here at Taylor&Emmet and have become pre-eminent members of the legal and judicial professions, both locally and further afield.
We commit considerable energy, expertise and resources into helping our Trainees fulfil their potential and one of our former Trainees, Paul Fouad, who you can meet on page 7 is our Training Principal; Paul knows more than most about what it really takes to become a successful solicitor here at Taylor&Emmet!
Why chooseTaylor&Emmet?
• We are a full service, award winning law firm offering training opportunities in a wide range of practice disciplines.
• We are a long established, friendly and open firm that values the contribution made by Trainee Solicitors.
• You will learn and fulfil your potential alongside some of the best and most talented lawyers in the region.
• Your training will be partner-led, many of whom began their careers at the firm as trainees.
• You can expect early client contact and a high degree of personal responsibility.
• We offer a wide range of post qualification opportunities, often in your preferred specialism.
4 5
Training & Support
Our two-year ‘Taylor Made’ Trainee Solicitor programme provides you with the opportunity, knowledge and skills to develop a successful and rewarding legal career.
Your training usually comprises of four, six-month seats at one of our South Yorkshire and Derbyshire locations. At least one of them will be spent in a contentious department and another with one of our busy property departments. If you have a particular interest in a specific area, we will do all we can to accommodate your wishes.
Supervision is provided by a partner and you will have direct access to your training principal, who will ensure your development is relevant, client focussed, varied, challenging and enjoyable.
In all four seats, we will help you expand both your legal and commercial acumen and you will receive regular feedback on your progress.
We place as much emphasis on effective teamwork and developing your communication skills, as we do on the legal aspects of your training. You can expect to be involved in a wide range of departmental meetings and social events, to help maximise your personal and professional development.
Your Training PrincipalPaul FouadI started life at T&E as a trainee in 2003 and now I am a partner in the Clinical Negligence team.
I was drawn to the firm because it has a professional and friendly reputation that focuses on quality client care, an ethos that has continued to grow over the years.
If you are unsure which area of law you wantto qualify into – as I was – we will give you opportunities to undertake diverse seatsin both personal and business legal services.
We invest time nurturing trainees, as we recognise you are the foundation of T&E’s future success. You will usually have daily contact with a partner or an experienced solicitor. With hard work and initiative, we reward and develop you quickly at T&E on qualification. Indeed, many of our trainees have progressed to become partners over the years.
6 7
What we canoffer youAnnual Leave 25 days annual leave, plus 8 statutory bank
holidays and 2 additional Christmas closure days. The firm also offers a holiday sell back scheme for all employees.
Professional Subscriptions and Fees
The firm will pay the fees payable on obtaining and renewing your practising certificate, membership of the Law Society, and other appropriate professional memberships or subscriptions.
Westfield Health Care As a T&E trainee Solicitor you will be eligible to join Westfield Health Care, which provides you with access to a wide range of health and wellbeing services as well as cash back on your treatment.
Discounted Legal Services
Access to discounted Personal and Business Legal services.
Pension The firm offers a work based pension for all employees.
Salary Minimum first year salary - £18,500Minimum second year salary - £20,500
Travel Support Season ticket loans and salary sacrifice NCP annual pass.
Death in Service
All employees are enrolled onto the Death in Service scheme which provides your nominated beneficiary with a lump sum the equivalent of three times your basic salary.
8 9
Sheffield as a placeto live and work
Not only is Sheffield one of the largest cities in the UK, it is also one of the greenest.
Surrounded by the beautiful Peak District, it is home to world-renowned universities and teaching hospitals. The steel mills may have disappeared, but the city still has a large manufacturing base and has welcomed the arrival of both McLaren and Boeing.
With a further 55,000 businesses situated in the Sheffield city area alone, it is an exciting time for the region and a fantastic opportunity to begin your legal career.
No matter where in Sheffield you choose to work and live, you will only be a short distance from beautiful countryside, a number of public parks and open green spaces.
Music & CultureSheffield boasts a rich musical heritage, with music venues spread across the city catering for all genres. Its variety of festivals attract local and national artists and events such as Tramlines brings in visitors from across the country.
If drama is more your thing, wealso house the largest theatre complex outside London, hosting everything from West End musicals to cutting edge productions.
SportsPlayers and spectators alike enjoy Sheffield’s vibrant sporting scene. Although Wednesday and United grab most of the headlines, the city is also home to hugely successful ice hockey, rugby and basketball teams.
For those who prefer to participate, there is international swimming and diving pools at Ponds Forge and excellent track and field facilities at the English Institute of Sport.
Food & Drink We have cafés, restaurants, micro-breweries and wine bars aplenty. There is something for every palate, from a quick coffee in the city centre, to a superb meal overlooking the Peak District’s breath-taking scenery.
1110
My role asa traineeLaura HardyContract start date: September 2018
Degree:
LLB LawUniversity of Lincoln
Joining the Corporate & Commercial department prior to my training contract was really useful. Although high pressured and fast paced, it gave me the opportunity to settle in and develop a wide set of skills before I started.
Since the first week of my training contract I have been meeting with clients which has been a real confidence booster. Alongside this, receiving regular feedback about my performance has been a huge benefit. It has allowed me to identify what I am doing well, and has let me set goals to improve on my weaknesses. This regular feedback is proving helpful in making continued progress and developing my skills.
Sabrina Rahman
Contract start date: September 2018
Degree:
LLB LawUniversity of Sheffield
After university I was keen to stay in Sheffield as the city is so friendly,dynamic and unique. Not to mention all the great places to eat and socialise!
I was drawn to Taylor&Emmet due to the fact that you could essentially tailor your training contract according to your interests. Therefore, if you had an interest in business legal services as well as personal legal services, you can choose your seats accordingly. I found this unique compared to some of the other training contracts I had seen.
The recruitment process at Taylor&Emmet was an enjoyable experience and allowed me to showcase my personality well. Tasks included a presentation, panel interview, in-tray exercise and an ‘island survival’ group task.
12 13
Oliver Simpson
Contract start date: August 2017
Degree:
BSc Biomedical ScienceUniversity of Newcastle
I’m not someone who can say they always wanted to be a lawyer. I read biomedical science at university, but early in my first year, I started to research different options. The summer placement that I completed at T&E ultimately confirmed that I wanted to pursue a career in law.
Since becoming a trainee at T&E it became clear that I had made the correct decision. I was surprised at how transferable the skills are between science and law and I feel a science background enables me to assess an issue differently. I am now in my litigious seat in Contentious Probate, having completed seats in Corporate and Commercial and Commercial Property. In my current seat, and throughout my training contract, T&E have entrusted me with a great deal of responsibility and have involved me in all aspects of a matter. I really feel T&E value their trainees and invest in “our future” accordingly. I am looking forward to completing my training contract and joining T&E as a Solicitor in August 2019.
Samantha Sims
Contract start date: August 2017
Degree:
LLB LawSheffield HallamThe legal industry is extremely competitive and working at T&E during my LPC studies gave me invaluable experience. I was able to get a realistic insight into a legal career, interact with clients and gain an understanding of the practicalities of working in a law firm, whilst putting my academic knowledge into practice. It demonstrated how varied, interesting, challenging and incredibly rewarding the career of a Solicitor can be.
Throughout my Training Contract so far, I have been given a lot of responsibility in both the Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts and the Residential Conveyancing teams. I very quickly became involved in all aspects of the departmental work and was provided with plenty of opportunities to meet clients and assist on a variety of complex matters. There is an open-door policy across the firm and everyone at all levels is always willing to help.
I am now undertaking my third and final seats in the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence departments. Both teams are very friendly and approachable and will do everything they can to get the very best possible outcome for clients. Regular supervision meetings have been invaluable to help me progress and I have been supported every step of the way. 1514
17
16
ApplicationProcessStage 1 - ApplyApply online or by downloading our application form.
Stage 2 - Closing DatesVisit www.tayloremmet.co.uk/traineefor this years closing dates.
Stage 3 - ShortlistingApplications are reviewed and those who are successful will be invited tothe next stage.
Stage 4 - InterviewsSkype interviews will be conducted with successful applicants.
Stage 5 - Assessment DayThose who are successful at step 4 will be invited in for an assessment day.
Stage 6 - Congratulations!An offer of a training contract will be made to those who are successful atthe assessment day.
17
Frequently askedquestions
How many trainees will T&E recruit each year?We will recruit a minimum of two trainee solicitors each year.
How many trainees does the firm seek to retain on qualification?
Wherever possible, we hope to retain all trainees, but it will be subject to requirements at the point of qualification and individual performance.
What is a trainee Solicitor’s salary? Trainees can expect to earn a minimum of £18,500 in year one and £20,500 in year two.
What are the benchmark entry standards for T&E graduate recruitment?
We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a range of skills and academic ability. You must have a minimum of 2 x B and 1 x A grade at A-level (128 UCAS points) or the equivalent and a degree classification of 2:1 or higher.
We will still consider applications from truly exceptional candidates who do not fully meet these criteria if they can demonstrate the required skills and abilities.
My degree is not in law, does that matter? We encourage applications from everyone, not just those who have studied law.
Do I need to undertake the Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE)?
Individuals who start a law degree or post-graduate conversion course in September 2019 or after may no longer qualify through the existing route and must take the SQE.
Which route to qualification must I take?Domestic candidates who have started a Qualifying Law Degree, CPE, LPC or Period of Recognised Training before September 2019 would be able to choose whether or not to qualify under the old route (subject to availability) or to take the SQE. If they take the SQE, they must meet all our requirements (including holding a degree or equivalent, and undertaking the requisite workplace experience). The long stop date for qualification under the old route to qualification would be 2024.
Can I amend my application once it has been submitted?
No. Please make sure you check it carefully and provide all information you think would help your application. You can update your personal details.
Does T&E provide sponsorship? If you require financial support, you should include this in the relevant section of the application form. Assistance is considered on a case-by-case basis. This applies to potential trainees who have not started or completed their studies when offered a training contract.
Would I get much choice in the seats I undertake?Our training covers both personal and business legal services. You are required to complete a contentious seat and at least one seat in our commercial property or residential conveyancing departments.
What skills do I need? In order to be a successful trainee at T&E, you need much more than just academic ability. We require intellectual rigour, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, determination and drive, as well as commerciality.
Do you offer legal placements? Yes, we run a Summer Placement Scheme every year. This gives prospective trainees an insight into what it is like to work here and life as a solicitor. If you are looking to join us, we would recommend undertaking a work placement, as a high number of training contracts are offered through this route.
1918
