Rebecca Turnbull-Simpson; 'Life after qualification'
I started working at Woolley Bevis Diplock LLP (“WBD”), in 2007, as a paralegal and was then taken on as a trainee solicitor. I was given the task of becoming indispensable to the firm and I would like to think that I have achieved this!
I completed my two year training contract on April Fool’s day 2010 and it was with great pleasure and pride that I received my first practicing certificate. It was also with excitement that I searched for my name on the Law Society’s website facility “Find a solicitor”!
So, now that my certificate is framed and on the wall, and the photographs of the celebratory karaoke session have been viewed, how has my life changed?
The “trainee” label has been removed and now I call myself an “assistant” solicitor. I have qualified into WBD’s litigation department where I am working under the supervision of the head of the department, Andrew Holt.
Since I started studying law, I have always known that litigation was the specialism for me. Litigation is all about strategy and problem solving. Every case is different and that is what makes it genuinely enjoyable to come to work every day. I try to get involved in as many cases as possible to gain a greater appreciation of the tactics of litigation which can only be achieved through experience.
Andrew is always there to review files with me and to discuss how best to proceed, and as an assistant solicitor I have taken on much more responsibility for my own clients. Although the “trainee” label has not been gone for long, I do feel much more confident when I am advising clients.
I now need to establish a client base on my own merit and prove that I continue to be an asset to the firm and an important part of its future.
I recently received a very kind recommendation from a client and it is words like this that now motivate me in life after qualification:
“I was most impressed by her tenacity and commitment to a successful outcome, as well as her creativity of approach…she demonstrated skills of relationship management that were exemplary for someone at such an early stage of her career.”
Rebecca is based at our Brighton office and specialises in landlord & tenant and all aspects of debt recovery. Rebecca can be contacted on 01273 323231 or via email.
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