Faye Donald

• Career Conversations
• Faye Donald

I have been with Raeburn Christie Clark and Wallace for my entire career having graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a degree in Law.  I secured a Traineeship with the Firm of Raeburn Christie in 2003 and in June 2004 they merged with another local Firm, Clark and Wallace.  I became the first Raeburn Christie Clark and Wallace trainee and started my Traineeship on 6^th September 2004.

I began my Traineeship in the Private Client department and did both Conveyancing and Executry work.  My next seat was in the Commercial Property team and, because of the needs of the business, I spent ten months there before completing my Traineeship carrying out both Civil Litigation and Family Law work.  Towards the end of my Traineeship, a vacancy arose in the Family Law team and the rest is history! I have worked exclusively in Family Law since 2006 and was made Partner in 2013.

Being a Trainee is completely different to University life.  University will challenge you academically whereas your Traineeship will help you understand how the law is applied in the real world, how to explain complex legal issues to clients and build strong interpersonal relationships with clients, within the Firm and other professionals.

The support and guidance I was offered at Raeburn Christie Clark and Wallace as a Trainee was invaluable and has certainly stood me in good stead.  We take pride in our Trainees and view them very much as part of the future of the Firm.  One of the real advantages of working in a full service Firm is having colleagues in all areas of the law to call upon when the need arises. The Firm has always been quick to support professional development.  Over the years I have trained as a collaborative lawyer and am also a trained mediator.

Advice to trainees:

• Be willing and keen to get involved
• Always go the extra mile for your clients
• Seize every opportunity that comes your way
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help
• Effective time management is crucial
• Be open minded and embrace every seat of your Traineeship.   If someone had told me fifteen years ago that I would forge a career appearing in court, I would never have believed them.
• Lastly, enjoy it!