When we started considering the topic of ‘Supporting your new trainees’ and the content we would like to share, on the top of our list was an interview with a top law firm about their approach to welcoming new trainees and supporting them through their training contracts. We were delighted when Camilla Brignall, Learning and Development Manager at Linklaters agreed to be interviewed. Camilla started her career as a lawyer so was not only able to tell us about Linklaters, but also her experience as a new trainee.
Please tell us a bit about yourself and your role.
I am a manager in the Learning & Development team at Linklaters. This stage of my career is still relatively “new” as I was a real estate lawyer in practice for 17 years before moving to a university to teach on (and run) an LPC programme. When the SRA decided to switch from the LPC to the SQE, I decided that I wanted a new challenge. Fortuitously, the opportunity to work at Linklaters with the trainee solicitors came up at exactly the right time.
Putting yourself in the shoes of a new trainee, how does it feel to walk into your office on the first day of a training contract?
I still remember my first day as a trainee solicitor… in particular walking into the office for the first time and thinking “This is it!!”. It was so exciting. One of the things I always ask at the beginning of trainee induction is “How are you feeling?” Many of the trainees feel nervous and a bit overwhelmed (and quite pleased they have an induction to help them settle in). Some of them cannot wait to get into their seats and to start work. Induction is important – it is a safe space to ask all the questions you don’t necessarily want to ask when you start with your supervisor – we emphasise that there is no such thing as a silly question and that if you have a worry about something it is probably shared by many others.
What does your trainee induction programme look like?
We have a very comprehensive trainee induction programme at Linklaters of which I am ridiculously proud. Of course, we have the “usual” programme of IT, risk and core skills training which is essential to ensure that trainees get started on the right foot, but our induction also includes an opportunity for the trainees to connect with their contemporaries from around the globe. We invite all our “junior lawyers” to London for a ‘New Lawyer Programme’ which introduces participants to the firm, our clients and our work and allows them to start building their network with their international colleagues, both in formal training sessions and through social events. On top of all of this, we have sessions which focus on skills that we think could benefit from a “deeper dive” than is offered by SQE preparation, such as a “research day”. I like to think that after three weeks, the trainees feel like they have really been welcomed into the firm, understand our culture and values and how it aligns with theirs and that they are ready to start life as a trainee.
Obviously, it can also be quite daunting starting a new job (especially if this is your first “proper” job since university) so trainees sometimes take a while to trust their own judgement and adjust to being in practice. Our supervisors, mentors and trainee development team (alongside our training) can help with all of that.
What issues do you see trainees experiencing?
Since September 2022, our trainees have had to do the SQE rather than the LPC in order to qualify as a solicitor. As this is a new assessment (and type of assessment to many of our trainees) this caused a certain amount of anxiety amongst the early cohorts of trainees. However, we are very happy that we have a provider who can prepare our trainees effectively for the exams and that anxiety is dissipating. Obviously, it can also be quite daunting starting a new job (especially if this is your first “proper” job since university) so trainees sometimes take a while to trust their own judgement and adjust to being in practice. Our supervisors, mentors and trainee development team (alongside our training) can help with all of that.
What training plans do you implement throughout a training contract?
Trainees are supported by an extensive curriculum of business skills training which is delivered over the course of their two-year training contract. This, of course, supplements the excellent technical training that they get when they are in their seats.
Do you provide continuous support throughout their training contract as they move to different seats? What does this support look like?
Our trainees benefit from having access to our excellent Trainee Development team, whose purpose is to support them from the moment they “sign-up” to becoming future trainees with us, to the point that they qualify. We also match trainees with a mentor with whom they remain for the duration of their training contract
How do you promote a healthy work-life balance for trainees in a demanding work environment?
As a top global firm, we operate in a high-performance environment – we are working on the biggest and most strategically important matters for clients – mandates that are often hitting the headlines! So there will be times when it is exceedingly busy and the whole team will be involved in delivering the best for our clients. But we have a supportive and collaborative environment and whilst teams work hard, they have fun with it! Outside of work, we have a wealth of resources, not just for trainees but for all staff, designed to promote the health and well-being of our people. As well as a free in-house fitness centre, which offers classes, we offer corporate membership discounts with a range of health club providers. We also currently have more than 19 clubs, including football, hockey, choir and sailing to encourage people to follow their interests (and maybe pursue a few new ones!).
As a top global firm, we operate in a high-performance environment – we are working on the biggest and most strategically important matters for clients – mandates that are often hitting the headlines! So there will be times when it is exceedingly busy and the whole team will be involved in delivering the best for our clients. But we have a supportive and collaborative environment and whilst teams work hard, they have fun with it!
It must be very rewarding when you see a trainee rise through the ranks of a law firm, can you tell us about your experience of this?
I am proud of our strong retention rates and the support that we offer to our trainees. I have only been at the firm for two and a half years, but the firm is full of “lifers” who have trained and qualified here and are now counsel and partner. I really look forward to the day when one of “my” trainees becomes a counsel or partner and I can say “I knew them when they were a trainee!”
Linklaters is one of the world’s leading law firms. We are a high-performing, diverse team of exceptional, talented and highly motivated individuals who handle the biggest and most transformational mandates for the world’s leading corporates, banks and financial sponsors.
We are bold and ambitious. Our goal is always to deliver the best results for our clients and each other. We focus relentlessly on innovation, efficiency and agility to meet our clients’ commercial needs and deliver beyond their expectations. If you are a major corporate or financial services company undertaking complex deals globally, Linklaters is the firm for you.
Our people are creative, commercial and committed, working with you to crystallise your organisation’s opportunities and manage your risks.
Their expertise and our reach, through 31 offices in 21 countries, will enable you to achieve your corporate goals. Your success is key to us. With almost 200 years of guiding business through historical, economic and commercial changes, we have a heritage of long-lasting relationships and groundbreaking work.
We’d love to talk to you about how we can help with your firm’s learning and development. Our THRIVE programme is designed specifically with trainees in mind or we can design a bespoke programme specifically for your firm. Email info@professional-training.co.uk to arrange a free training needs analysis and to book a call.