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Prior to starting my training contract with Michelmores I was a paralegal in plot sales. In my role as a plot sales paralegal, I specialised in the conveyancing process for new build housing developments. Therefore, my previous experience was within the residential real estate development team, in my role I managed the sale of individual plots (homes) from the initial contract stage through to final completion, acting on behalf of developers or housing associations.
Starting my new role as a trainee solicitor in the Transactional Real Estate team felt like a natural next step but also a significant shift from my previous experience as a plot sales paralegal. While the complexity of matters increased, I quickly realised that the foundations I built during my time as a paralegal have been invaluable in helping me hit the ground running.
In my role as paralegal, I was trusted with running my own matters from start to finish. That responsibility taught me how to manage deadlines, prioritise tasks, and take ownership of transactions, all of which have helped me significantly in my first seat.
As a paralegal I often dealt with Land Registry applications, regularly preparing and submitting AP1s and dealing with requisitions. In Transactional Real Estate, that familiarity has allowed me to approach title issues with confidence and understand how drafting in certain transactions can affect the registration stage.
In plot sales, I regularly drafted and reviewed sale contracts, transfers, and completion documentation. While my seat in Transactional Real Estate involved more bespoke and complex drafting, such as complex property transfers, deeds of easements, special conditions of sale and deeds of variation. Therefore, having that baseline confidence made it much easier to adapt and develop my skills further.
Perhaps most importantly, plot sales taught me how to manage multiple matters at once. That exposure prepared me well for the fast-paced, document-heavy nature of my first seat. I learned early on the importance of attention to detail, clear communication, and keeping all parties updated.
Transitioning into a trainee solicitor role has brought new challenges, particularly in relation to the increased complexity of the work. For example, in plot sales much of the standard documentation had already been drafted and set as precedent, meaning that while I had exposure to and an understanding of the documents commonly encountered in a real estate seat, this seat required me to develop my skills in drafting bespoke documentation for commercial properties and to adapt to different working styles within the team. However, my previous experience has provided a strong foundation to build upon. Rather than starting from scratch, I have been able to focus on developing a deeper level of technical knowledge.
Looking back, working as a plot sales paralegal was an invaluable stepping stone. It gave me confidence, practical experience, and a real appreciation of what it means to run matters efficiently and responsibly.