In a housing market where mortgage rates can shift on global headlines and property chains remain...
Louise Kenward joined us as a trainee in October 2006 and is due to qualify in October 2008. She has completed seats in Commercial Property and Litigation and is currently in our Corporate/Commercial Department. Below she describes the highlights of her training contract so far…..
Highlights of Training Contract
Trip to Hong Kong
On my first day in our Corporate/Commercial department I flew to Hong Kong to assist a partner, Salim Somjee, with the admission of one of his clients, Netdimensions (Holdings) Limited, on AIM, a subsidiary market of the London Stock Exchange. My role was to verify the contents of the Admission Document which involved collating and checking independent documentation that proved all statements made by the directors of the company. Despite our hectic schedule of client meetings we managed to fit in a trip to the horse races, the Peak and the Big Bucket reflexology. The trip was superb – I gained a valuable insight into an AIM admission and experienced some incredible tourist attractions in Hong Kong.
Injunction Hearing and Mediation
My seat in our Litigation department involved drafting witness statements, instructions to counsel, without prejudice correspondence, carrying out research and liaising with clients and counsel. One of the highlights of the seat was attending a mediation involving a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. It was a great insight into how a mediator attempts to resolve the issues between the parties and the case did settle after several frustrating hours of negotiation. I also attended an injunction hearing at the High Court of Justice involving an application for an interim injunction for delivery up of our client’s equipment, to restrain the Defendant from using the equipment and to compel him to preserve it and keep it safe until delivery up. Having assisted with the preparation of the hearing including drafting the schedule of costs I was able to assist the barrister in his argument for recovery of our client’s costs. It was great to see a successful outcome for our client.
CWJ Events
Trainees at CWJ are involved in many firm activities which is a great way to get to know everyone within the firm. As a member of our Social Committee I assisted with the organisation of our Christmas meal last year and took over the organisation of theatre trips for the firm. Trainees attend all seminars which is a useful way of gaining experience of liaising with clients and we also arrange First Friday which is a social gathering for the firm with drinks and nibbles on the first Friday of every month. CWJ has regular firm functions such as a summer ball or Family Fun Day.
Find out more about a day in the life of a trainee
TYPES OF WORK
Areas of work, which might be covered in a training contract, include Commercial/Corporate, Employment, Commercial Property, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury, Family, Residential Property, Wills and Administration of Estates.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
We welcome applications from both law and non-law disciplines. Candidates should already have or expect to achieve a 2:1 degree or equivalent qualification.
We are looking for candidates who have high standards of achievement in their academic, working and personal life. We look for energy, initiative and enthusiasm from candidates who are keen and ready to accept early responsibility.
THE TRAINING PROGRAMME
Generally trainees will complete four six-month seats. During each seat, where possible, trainees sit with a partner or senior solicitor or associate.
Frequent reviews of progress are undertaken with a formal review at the end of each seat. We have a full induction process and in-house training.
A high proportion of our trainees remain with the firm following qualification.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
It is our normal practice to interview for trainees approximately two years before the Autumn in which the training contract is due to start. We require applicants to complete an application form although they may also attach a personal CV if they wish.
Applications made by the end of August will be considered in early September and October. A second interview for a small number of candidates will be organised shortly after that, and it is hoped that offers can be made and appointments finalised by the end of November. Application forms received after the end of August will only be considered in exceptional circumstances or if there are not otherwise enough suitable candidates to be short-listed for interview.
If you have submitted an application form and have not heard from us by the beginning of October you should assume that you have not been short-listed for interview. We shall not be sending out personal letters of rejection to non short-listed candidates. Please bear in mind that we receive applications from very many well-qualified people, and it is extremely difficult even to draw up a short-list. All applicants for interview will receive a personal follow-up letter or email.
We have filled our vacancies for training contracts to begin in 2007 but are now accepting applications for 2008.
If you would like to apply for a trainee position please complete the application form and email with a covering letter and any CV to andrew.wood@cwj.co.uk or post to;
Andrew Wood
Partner
Clarkson Wright & Jakes
Valiant House
12 Knoll Rise
Orpington
Kent BR6 OPG