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The assessment stages for training contracts and apprenticeship roles can be challenging, and knowing how to prepare effectively is not always straightforward.
In this article, our current trainees share their insights and tips for tackling common themes assessed during the application process. Each trainee has followed a unique path to reach their current position, so their experiences and advice offer valuable guidance, no matter which route you choose to pursue.
- Luke Harper is currently sat in his second seat, Commercial & Regulatory Disputes after competing his first seat in Agriculture. Luke spent three years working as a paralegal before applying for a training contract and joined Michelmores in September 2024.
- Ella Turner is a Graduate Solicitor Apprentice and is currently sat in Corporate for her first seat. Ella graduated last year and spent six months working as a paralegal in Children Law before joining Michelmores in February 2025.
- Ellis Arnold is currently sat in Transactional Real Estate, having completed his first seat in Asset Protection. Ellis spent three years working as a paralegal at Michelmores, before applying internally for a training contract. Ellis started his training contract in September 2024.
How did you stay on top of commercial awareness?
Luke: There is often a misconception as to what commercial awareness is. It is more important to have a commercial mindset, don’t focus so much on current events but instead look at how a legal business operates. Remember that there isn’t an expectation to understand every current event, this is something that comes later when you have more of a specialism and you know what your client needs and subsequently what events you need to understand. It is more important at the application stage to understand how law firms make money. Ask yourself questions such as how do people pay for lawyers, what does the firms pipeline look like and how would you deal with a client coming to you with a legal issue but they don’t have the capacity to pay. An understanding of the legal industry rather than current events is more impressive.
Ella: Every morning, I listen to the financial times daily briefing and read the news headlines. When applying for training contracts, I researched law firm websites and considered what articles they had recently posted, this indicated what current changes were impacting them and their clients most. Applying whilst still at university was also helpful because I could utilise my commercially relevant modules, the day to day teaching I received allowed me to stay up to date with changes in the law.
Ellis: I read the headlines each morning to get a gist of what was happening in the world. This would give me a basic idea of any breaking events that were ongoing. When I could find the time, I would look to read further about specific issues which interested me or where I wanted to find out more information. It is always worth having the thought process of how this might impact businesses (as a law firm is also a business at heart) but also the impact it might have on your potential seats. For example, as a Transactional Real Estate trainee, there is currently a particular interest over the Government’s plan to build £1.5m new homes.
How did you make yourself aware of the sort of work the firm was undertaking?
Luke: The first steps is to look at the firm’s website, as well as legal publications and the rankings for each team. It is also useful to look at which awards the firm is up for and what they have previously won. This will indicate which teams are strong in the firm. There is no expectation to know everything, you just need to demonstrate that you are passionate about the type of work the firm specifically undertakes.
Ella: The firm’s website and recently published articles were a great starting position. Michelmores often acted on the other side when I was working at my previous firm, so this was a great opportunity to gain a strong insight to the type of work they were doing. I was also lucky to have some friends at the firm who I could speak to ahead of any assessments.
Ellis: I was somewhat fortunate in this respect as I was a paralegal at the firm for three years prior to commencing my training contract. This gave me a hands-on insight into the work within the Real Estate team and arguably I was in the best position to find out about the firm’s other initiatives. I think that the publications on firm’s website is a great place to start as we are regularly posting about recent matters and the website itself provides a variety of information about the work Michelmores does.
What research did you carry out to know Michelmores was the right firm for you?
Luke: I knew that I wanted to train at a full service law firm as this would give me an opportunity to experience a variety of areas. Michelmores also struck a good balance between work and social life which was another important factor for me when applying to firms. Websites such as Legal Cheek and Chambers Student are useful before any assessments. It was during in the assessment period that I really realised Michelmores was the right firm for me.
Ella: Michelmores did a lot of marketing at my university (University of Exeter). They always made you feel very comfortable and even partners would make the effort to attend open days and interact with perspective trainees. It was a very relaxed atmosphere during the assessment centre, it felt more like a chat instead of an assessment. I was also looking to train at a mid-sized full service firm with a strong private client sector and I wanted to stay in South West; Michelmores fit these criteria.
Ellis: I was fortunate to be able to work at the firm as a paralegal which confirmed my choice. I appreciate that not everyone will be able to work at the firm before they decide to apply so the next best option is the vacation scheme if you can. This allows you to spend a week within the firm whilst doing your assessments which gives you the perfect opportunity to experience the culture of the firm and speak to people here and understand what they value most about working for Michelmores. On a general note, you need to ask yourself what you want from a law firm; is it a specialism in a specific area? Is it location? Or is it ambition? For me, I was looking for a progressive and ambitious firm with national quality work, but with a southwest location.
How did you make yourself stand out throughout the assessment process?
Luke: I utilised my paralegal experience, this included engaging with clients and counsel directly. Even if you don’t have legal work experience, working in a team or in an office shows you have the skills to engage and be competent. Any previous work that evidences these skills will be very useful. Try to be your authentic self, talk about your interests, try and engage naturally with people and be confident but not cocky.
Ella: I focused on being polite, friendly and tried to come across relaxed. Sometimes it’s helpful to imagine you’ve already got the job and the assessments are just a formality, this will bring out your true personality.
Ellis: I would say that you need to play to your strengths and use your unique experience to your advantage. This allows you to be authentic and genuine with your responses and I believe that this goes a long way, as opposed to trying to be someone that you are not. Everyone has different experiences whether legal or not that they will be able to use to demonstrate the skills required. Don’t be afraid to use your own experience as I am sure there are numerous skills that you can evidence.
What is your #1 top tip for the assessment process?
Luke: Show a genuine engagement with everything you do and that you have a passion to build your knowledge. Going a little bit under the surface to show that level of engagement really stands out.
Ella: Be yourself because if you haven’t been yourself and you get offered a place, it probably won’t be the best place for you. They are assessing how well you will do at this specific firm. It’s not luck that you got the job, it’s luck that you found the right firm.
Ellis: It is a cliché but it leads on from my answer to the last question – be yourself. I personally believe that the best applications come from a place of authenticity.