Trainee Solicitors – The Future of the Firm

It is important to note when applying for training contracts at regional firms, your role is more than understanding the law in which seat you are training in. Here at Machins, as a trainee you are viewed as the future of the firm and so from day one you will have an active role in business development and marketing the firm. These responsibilities lead to well-rounded solicitors with a better understanding of how the firm works and also gives you the opportunity to be organised and develop your time management.  

Networking

Networking is a task that lots of trainees find daunting. It makes many people who are just starting out and perhaps lacking in confidence feel uncomfortable, but remember, you are not alone. At Machins, we encourage all trainees to attend networking events, support the hosting of our own events and come up with new and exciting ways the firm can network with business contacts and establish new connections. It is important as a trainee you understand the true benefits of networking, which helps to develop your commercial awareness, and build interpersonal and communication skills. It is also important to help curate your own personal brand and assist in bringing in work once qualified, and so starting out as a trainee means that you can start to work on those skills and networks at an early stage.

Volunteering

Machins encourages all staff to volunteer and get involved with the charity and community initiatives we support. Machins engages in a wide range of activities from community clean-ups, charity volunteering days and sponsored events. The firm also hosts a range of charity events such as bake sales, half marathons and sleep-outs.

Committee work

Additional ways trainees can get involved with at the firm include joining (or even chairing!) one of the three committees. There are three main committees at Machins: the Social Committee, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and the Mental Health Committee. Each Committee is ran by a group of colleagues who organise various events, initiatives, information sheets throughout the year.

Marketing

Finally – marketing! This is an excellent way for trainees to understand how to market the firm as a business. At Machins, trainees have free scope to bring in new ideas which may positively benefit the firm. Trainee solicitors have regular meetings with the marketing department to discuss ideas and concepts. Just some of the ideas that trainees have initiated or supported include Gen 20 (which is a junior networking group aimed at bringing together junior professionals across the region and forming connections), the ‘Ask Machins’ podcast series and Trainee Talks series, and the Machins Business Mixer networking group! The partners and the firm are supportive of any ideas proposed and hope that the trainee solicitors of today are the future of the firm tomorrow.