Firstly, I would like to express my appreciation towards Fisher Jones Greenwood, for providing such a fantastic and valuable opportunity for work experience. I received such a warm and welcoming introduction to the firm, which was so refreshing and uplifting during these tough and unprecedented times. For all of us students, who are trying to enhance our employability whilst having to adapt to researching firms and future career positions online, it has felt extremely overwhelming and dark. Our opportunity to network and interact with professionals or even other students face-to-face has been stripped from us during the most vital period of the year, the deadline season for applications. Without being able to participate in valuable activities such as attending open days, annual law dinners, or being able to walk into a high-street firm, for example, our opportunities have become largely restricted. However, Fisher Jones Greenwood have been very considerate, pro-active, and helpful in adapting their work experience programme to one of which can operate remotely, for keen, hardworking and ambitious students such as myself.
I feel beyond fortunate to have participated in a week’s work experience with FJG this March.
Without a doubt, I have benefitted significantly from this experience. Whilst it was a shame I could not physically attend the offices like normal, and interact with the teams face-to-face, this was certainly the best possible alternative. Before delving into the legal experience I gained, I must mention how friendly, welcoming, and approachable every member of staff at FJG is. They are all a credit to the firm. For new faces such as myself, I was made to feel very valued and looked after. Not to mention, when some small technological blips emerged, unfortunately as they do with everything being remote, the Solicitors were prompt in finding an alternative way of contacting me! Very impressive considering how busy they must be. Communication, particularly at the moment is vital, and it is clear FJG are aware of this and value their work experience participants.
Within my time with the firm, I was fortunate enough to experience four different ‘seats’; Wills, Life Planning & Probate, Family, Corporate & Commercial, and Commercial Property. When presented on Monday with my timetable by the lovely and friendly Su, of whom guided me through the week, I was elated to learn I would be experiencing both contentious, and non-contentious areas of law. What a fantastic opportunity this was. Although I am not a budding property law fanatic myself, I am so pleased I was allocated tasks that are naturally out of my comfort zone, such as drafting a lease or head of terms. Being an aspiring family, or private client Solicitor, during previous work experience I have chosen to spend the majority of my time within my preferred areas. However, during my week with FJG I was able to work with not only private client teams, but also commercial, corporate, and property teams which has definitely broadened my experience in drafting legal documents. This is one of the core reasons why I felt this experience to be priceless, as particularly for second-year students such as myself it is important to experience more than just your preferred area, in order to tick off what is and is not for you. Furthermore, there was such a variety of work assigned, including drafting a Will one day, to a financial consent order another which kept things interesting.
I can certainly recommend FJG’s work experience, particularly if you are looking to decide whether a career in law is right for you.
Written by Olivia
If you are interested in work experience at FJG, please contact Su Barker, Training & Knowledge Co-ordinator – [email protected].