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Life as a trainee at VWV

Life as a trainee at VWV. Michael Delaney (Partner). What we will be covering today. What is a lawyer? Key facts about VWV Culture and ethos of the firm Life as a trainee Other activities Top Tips. What is a lawyer?. What kind of law interests me?. How can I become a lawyer?.

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Life as a trainee at VWV

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  1. Life as a trainee at VWV • Michael Delaney (Partner)

  2. What we will be covering today • What is a lawyer? • Key facts about VWV • Culture and ethos of the firm • Life as a trainee • Other activities • Top Tips

  3. What is a lawyer?

  4. What kind of law interests me?

  5. How can I become a lawyer? • A Levels/IB • Law Degree • Non-law Degree • GDL • Paralegal/legal assistant • Legal Practice Course • Bar Professional • Training Course • CILEX • Chartered Legal Executive • Training Contract • Pupillage • Professional Skills Course • Flexible law society • CPE equivalent • Solicitor • Barrister

  6. What is a training contract? • Period of training in a law firm before qualifying as a solicitor • During this time you are a ‘trainee solicitor’ • 2 years • 4 (or 6) seats in different departments • Exposure to a range of different types of law • VWV trainee solicitors

  7. What kind of law firm would suit me? • High street firm • Medium sized firm • City firm

  8. What should my next steps be? • Sixth form Think about which subjects to pick – academic with a good chance of high grades. Law is not necessary at this stage. • University Either law or non-law, do what you enjoy! Focus on traditional academic subjects. • Extra-curricular activities • Work experience • Current affairs/commercial awareness

  9. VWV – key facts • Over 380 staff based in Bristol, London, Birmingham and Watford (50 in London) • Approximately 65 partners • Turnover £29 million • Full service law firm • Managing partner – Simon Heald (previous trainee of the firm)

  10. Recruitment • Occurs 2 years before planned start date • Online application • Academic qualifications • Successful completion of LPC • Relevant work experience • Extra-curriculum activities • Panel interview • Assessment day • Include • a presentation • a group activity • a written exercise

  11. The Culture & Ethos at VWV • Approachable and easy to talk to • Individual approach to training due to size of firm and its culture • Core values: • - Client at the centre of the firm • - Teamwork and collaboration • - Commercial approach • Awards • Tabitha Cave (Best Training Principal 2012, runner up 2013) • Jo Saye (nominated for allaboutlawTrainee Solicitor of the year 2013) • Lex100 Award for the Friendliness of the Firm

  12. Our trainees

  13. Our experience as trainees • Corporate, Commercial and Charities/Pastoral • Drafting variety of • documents • Attending client meetings/ regular client contact • Preparing disclosure due diligence documents • Working on completion documentation and attending completion meetings • Registering charities with the Charities Commission

  14. Our experience as trainees • Employment/ Commercial Litigation • Liaising with Counsel, clients and other side re ET/EAT • Writing articles for website and magazines, tweeting • Contracts, witness statements • Preparing, drafting and filing judgment applications • Attending hearings, filing & issuing docs at RCJ • Conferences with Counsel and other side

  15. Our experience as trainees • Private Client Administration of estates Trusts Wills and codicils Tax issues Lasting Powers of Attorney Legal research

  16. Our experience as trainees • Commercial Property/Property Litigation Property Litigation RealEstate Drafting & negotiating Leases/licenses etc Preparing and delivering court bundles Liaising with clients Legal Research Completions Land Registration/Stamp Duty Land Tax Returns Courtexperience

  17. Training • Very hands-on training • Induction programme • In-house training • Professional skills course

  18. Other activities • Corporate Social Responsibility Committee • Charities of the Year • Abseil down Senate House Library/bake sale • Sports and Social Committee • LegalUpstarts networking dinner • RopedIn

  19. Charity abseil

  20. Top Tips • Apply for the vacation schemes • Look out for alternative routes in – paralegal positions • Application form: focus on the core values • Follow us - @VWVCareers and @VWVLawFirm • http://www.vwv.co.uk/careers/trainees/blog-and-trainee-profiles

  21. Michael Delaney • Partner • mdelaney@vwv.co.uk • 01923 208817 • Ellen Marsh • Recruitment Manager • emarsh@vwv.co.uk

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