Life as a trainee at VWV Michael Delaney

Life as a trainee at VWV Michael Delaney (Partner) www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

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 www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

What is a lawyer? www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

What kind of law interests me? Commercial Human Rights Criminal Property Litigation Law Niche Family e. g. media, music, education… Corporate Private client www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

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 Training Contract Pupillage Chartered Legal Executive Flexible law society CPE equivalent Professional Skills Course Solicitor Barrister www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

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 www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

What kind of law firm would suit me? • High street firm • Medium sized firm • City firm www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

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 www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

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) www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

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 www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

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 allaboutlaw. Trainee Solicitor of the year 2013) − Lex 100 Award for the Friendliness of the Firm www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

Our trainees Bristol Trainees London Trainees www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

Our experience as trainees Corporate, Commercial and Charities/Pastoral Drafting variety of documents Attending client meetings/ regular client contact Preparing disclosure due diligence documents Registering charities with the Charities Commission Working on completion documentation and attending completion meetings www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

Our experience as trainees Employment/ Commercial Litigation Contracts, witness statements Liaising with Counsel, clients and other side re ET/EAT Writing articles for website and magazines, tweeting Conferences with Counsel and other side Preparing, drafting and filing judgment applications Attending hearings, filing & issuing docs at RCJ www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

Our experience as trainees Private Client Administration of estates Trusts Tax issues Wills and codicils Lasting Powers of Attorney Legal research www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

Our experience as trainees Commercial Property/Property Litigation Real Estate Property Litigation Drafting & negotiating Leases/licenses etc Preparing and delivering court bundles Liaising with clients Legal Research Completions Land Registration/Stamp Duty Land Tax Returns Court experience www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

Training • Very hands-on training • Induction programme • In-house training • Professional skills course www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

Other activities • Corporate Social Responsibility Committee • Charities of the Year • Abseil down Senate House Library/bake sale • Sports and Social Committee • Legal. Upstarts networking dinner • Roped. In www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

Charity abseil www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

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 @VWVLaw. Firm • http: //www. vwv. co. uk/careers/trainees/blog-and-trainee-profiles www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents

Michael Delaney Partner mdelaney@vwv. co. uk 01923 208817 Ellen Marsh Recruitment Manager emarsh@vwv. co. uk www. vwv. co. uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents