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Emma Taylor- Traineeship update
Emma joined RCCW in September 2023 as one of our 2023-25 Traineeship Cohort. As she enters her second year of training she provides an update on her experiences as a trainee to date.
You can read more about Emma’s journey to becoming a trainee here at RCCW, as well as other staff career journeys in our career conversations.
Read Emma’s story of life as a trainee in one of the North east’s leading full service law firms below.
Traineeship to date
I started my traineeship with the firm in September 2023. My first seat was in the Residential Property department where I assisted on sales, purchases and other conveyancing matters. I settled into the department quickly and felt very supported, while also progressing transactions independently. I had a lot of client contact from day one – meeting clients to sign dispositions and discuss the sale or purchase of a property.
After four months, I was moved to the Commercial Property department, where I worked almost exclusively for a national house builder. The workload is high volume and fast paced and it was a completely different experience from my first seat, working for a corporate client. I was in this department for five months.
I am now back in Residential Property continuing my first seat and I have my own sales, purchases and other conveyancing matters that I am now responsible for. My favourite part of this seat is definitely the client contact – I thoroughly enjoy meeting and talking with clients, it is really rewarding when you complete a transaction for them. I am awarded a good amount of responsibility which has accelerated my learning and my confidence and the whole team is really friendly.
I am looking forward to my next seat in the firm, wherever that may be.
Key things you have learned
From your first day, accept that you will make some mistakes! Everyone is there to help and mistakes can almost always be fixed. Communication is key with clients and colleagues, even small updates are helpful. It is important to socialise with other trainees, they’ve been in your shoes and their advice can be invaluable.
What have you enjoyed most?
I have really appreciated the friendly nature of the firm and the level of support and responsibility given. The rewarding feeling that comes with working with clients is great. Completing their transactions and seeing your hard work pay off, making a small positive difference. I have also enjoyed the variety of work that comes with working in different departments.
What are you looking forward to next year?
I am looking forward to attending the law fair and sharing my experiences with future trainees. I am excited to move on to my final seat (wherever that may be!) and continue to develop my legal knowledge. The firm have an annual Christmas get together, where I am looking forward to socialising more with colleagues.
Advice and tips for applicants for traineeships
Try to get as much experience you can working with people – It does not have to be legal! Build up your confidence working with members of the public, customers etc. This skill is very transferable and will give you a head start from day one of your traineeship. Research the firm you are applying to in depth, and do not have one standard CV/cover letter that you put to every firm, as this will be obvious. Have the ability to demonstrate you have done your research and that you have genuine enthusiasm to work there.
To find out more about careers at RCCW click here, current vacancies click here, and traineeships here.
