Michelle Wilson on life as a trainee with Allan McDougall Solicitors
I am currently a second-year trainee with Allan McDougall Solicitors working predominantly in the personal injury team, having previously worked as a paralegal for 2½ years following the completion of the LLB at Edinburgh University and the Diploma at Strathclyde University. I joined the firm as a paralegal in 2021 as I was eager to gain experience in a wider variety of personal injury actions and be part of a talented, supportive team. I was subsequently offered a traineeship which I was delighted to accept having been impressed with the quality of work and attention towards client care. The friendly and social side of the firm also swayed my decision to stay on as a trainee.
What you should expect
From the very beginning of your traineeship expect to be involved. All the team, not only your supervisor, will get you involved in a variety of tasks such as drafting, negotiating, researching, contacting clients and attending Court, either virtually or in-person. If you have a particular interest in a certain area, speak with the team, and they will do their best to get your more involved.
Application process
To apply for the traineeship, you should submit your CV and a covering letter. When preparing, don’t overlook your commercial, non-legal, experience such as part time jobs. It’s not unusual that when applying for traineeships you won’t have a great deal of legal experience. Emphasise the transferrable skills that would be of benefit, such as presentation experience, research, or any customer facing roles. Let us see your passion for personal injury law, and why you think Allan McDougall Solicitors is the firm for you.
Highlights
When dealing with a claim where liability for an accident has been denied, it is always a difficult conversation with a client. However, on a few occasions I have negotiated a settlement when liability was initially denied. This did take a fair bit of time to research the appropriate legislation, gather evidence, speak with witnesses and take the time to go through all the important details with the client. In the end, all this time spent was worth it to tell the client that they are able to put their accident behind them.
Involvement in CSR activities
Within a few weeks of being at Allan McDougall Solicitors, I was given the opportunity along with my colleague Heather Webster to attend a Scottish Disability Sports (SDS) event sponsored by the firm. While I was nervous to be representing the firm having recently joined, everyone at SDS made me feel welcome, so much so that I returned to the majority of SDS events for the duration of the sponsorship.
Social
It is important at Allan McDougall Solicitors that we work well as a team. Part of this involves the social side, getting to relax with colleagues at firm organised events such as the summer outing or Christmas party. If a big gathering is not your style, there are also smaller events hosted for your specific office or your team. Don’t underestimate the benefit of socialising with your colleagues!
Lastly, good luck to all that apply!
Contact us
- Email us
- Call free on 0808 560 0872
- Arrange a callback by using our enquiry form
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