Training Contract Help

Hi!

Last month I was offered a 2019 training contract with a national firm. I was so delighted and accepted the offer.

I think now I am unsure whether this is the right option for me...

I have always loved medical litigation. I took it to honours in my LLB and have had a lot of work experience in the area. Initially I really wanted a traineeship in a firm that has a strong emphasis on this field of law.

I applied for this particular firm as it was a national firm and I felt it would provide me with excellent training. I knew that the traineeship focused on conveyancing, private client and dispute resolution, but because of the firm's reputation I thought it would still be worthwhile. Honestly, I didn't think I would even receive an invite to the assessment centre never mind a job offer.

When I was offered the job, I was so shocked that I jumped at the chance. Now, a month later, the initial delight is starting to wear and I am becoming more practical about things.

I don't know whether it's better to train with the larger reputable firm in areas that I don't enjoy but know I will get amazing training, or to go with the medium sized firm that doesn't have the reputation but practices in areas I love.

I have received an invite to interview for a medical law firm based on previous work experience but I don't want to waste anyone's time unnecessarily until I am more sure of myself.

Sorry this is so long! Any advice welcome!

Ask JSP.


Not asking but hard for em to say without knowing the firms.

Just do a pros and cons.
Does your national firm not have an insurance arm or do medical negligence somewhere? I would rather be a general litigator and move.

I would definitely go to the new firm and see whether you can convert it. If it all feels right to you, then after you have the offer tell the existing firm you no longer wish to continue and move. You dont have another offer yet so its a bit moot. With the thousands of students they deal with then they will be used to it, so dont stress.

Btw if it classifies itself as conveyancing and private client then my impression would be it cant be that big.

Ps contrary tp#2 above then i say you have nothing to lose. If a smaller but niche firm is the place you feel happier then i would go for it. A larger firm can have variety, good formal training and a name. You also have the fact wat you think you like now may not be the same once you experience practice. med neg could turn out to be completely different and dull compared to another department.

The general rule is that you should start big and go small. That’s a lot easier than starting small and trying to move to a bigger/more prestigious firm later. Unless the firm you’re applying to now is a specialised boutique firm with a strong reputation in your area of interest, I highly suggest not proceeding further.

So I have made a pros and cons list but I don't think I got anywhere with it.

No it is an all-service national firm and they offer everything from government consultancy, to business services to personal services. I just know that my traineeship will be based mostly around the personal and business services they offer and that my 4 seats will be commercial conveyancing, private client, employment and dispute resolution.

I did have an offer from a medical negligence firm that I received the day after my offer from the national firm but I turned it down. I also have an interview coming up for medical negligence work in-house for the NHS.

Thanks for responding ! I think it just really helps to get a different perspective

It is possible to request that your rotations be changed. This is something that you should discuss with your firm.

Don’t be silly and join a small firm just because they practise in the area you currently think you have an interest in. You can, but unless this small firm has a strong reputation in their area(s) of practice, you are only making it more difficult for yourself to move to a larger firm in the future. Moreover, if you subsequently regret your choice, you will have a huge headache trying to leave the area of practice that you’ve pigeonholed yourself into.

You sound like you’re still unsure about what matters to you, and the direction your career will take. Do yourself a favour and choose the option that will leave the most doors open.

I’ve seen more than enough solicitors stuck in jobs they hate and/or regretting the choices they made because they decided based on what they knew at 22, only to later realise that the world of practice is a different beast altogether. Don’t be like them.

It is hard to tell without knowing the names of the firms. Speak to JSP in DM. You seem a bit lost but without the name of the firms [ not asking] then its hard to get some perspective.

Have you checked your firm doesnt do this sort of work, but maybe in another office? If its so specialist, then maybe you can ask for one of your seats to be at another office. Personally unless you really knew 100% its what you wanted then id be happy with a general litigation seat and hide behind the training and name of the large firm. As I said at this stage you really wont know for sure what you like in practice.

Personally I always regarded med neg stuff as lower down the food chain, less money and its quite niche, which could also mean restrictive. There are medium size firms who can offer you full service , good training and enough med neg experience, if you know for sure its a passion. There is nothing stopping you continuing to apply and see where you get then if push comes to shove you can drop it on your big firm and they will release you. Not ideal but it happens. With a decent general TC in a large firm then you should easily be able to transfer into the NHS if thats what you really wanted. It will offer more options. If you are going to use a niche firm then I would still be looking for a strong rep in that field and also a good structured all round training.

Well done on getting a TC, but it does appear your search and knowledge of what you want from a TC seem sparse and less co ordinated than it might be.

Yeah I don't feel comfortable giving names but its one of the top firms in the country (like a CMS but less commercial based and more well rounded).

They do actually have a medical negligence department and they are one of the top in the country so that was one of the reasons why I applied. However after I received my offer they told me that they can't offer a seat in that department and that they don't always have the availability for an NQ job there either.

Just speak with JSP in DM and give the names that way, then someone can make a direct assessment. At the moment you just have one choice, so its pretty easy and im not getting the impression your search for something else is extensive. We will just end up going round in circles otherwise. You have nothing to lose applying to your target firms but get on with it and see what happens. There is obviously something that makes you feel it isnt the ideal fit. If you have been through the whole recruitment process, which takes several months, then its unclear what happened to all your other offers or targets.

It is funny when people try and advise and they are only happy when they get an answer they want to hear.