I have a different educational foundation to most people who undertake legal work experience: I do not have a background in Law. I have a BA in History and am soon to start a Law conversion. It is hard to obtain a role in legal practice without any experience and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have participated in work experience at Fisher Jones Greenwood this August.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic and the curious world we are now living in the placement was remote. This did not impact the work experience in any way, it was still a very enjoyable and informative week that was structured impeccably (in my opinion). Each member of the FJG team that I worked with or who helped me were encouraging, understanding and easy to communicate with (even when zoom was not working!).
I was fortunate enough to spend a day in four of FJG’s departments including wills, life planning and probate, corporate and commercial, family and commercial property. Throughout each day I was asked to draft various and relevant documents for each of the departments I experienced. The variety of the week gave me a real insight into the different areas of law and never allowed a moment to be bored, there was always something different for me to learn. One day I was drafting a lasting power of attorney document, the next a consent order, moving onto a share purchase agreement and even drafting a lease agreement. I cannot stress enough how invaluable the variety of FJG’s work experience was. On the Friday I participated in a ‘Development Day’ in which I was lucky enough to have a meeting with Tony Fisher who gave me lots of helpful tips as well as having a CV review and a mock interview. For someone in my position the help was tremendous, I feel more confident knowing that my CV is suited to roles in Legal practice, and I am now aware of what to expect in an interview.
I am so thankful to FJG and everyone who works there and cannot recommend their work experience programme enough. The insight I received into what solicitors do is priceless to me. Spending the week with their team has made me eager to move into the next chapter of my life and excited for the future.
By Bethany