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The final seat of a training contract is an exciting time in a trainee solicitor’s journey. It is the final opportunity to try out a new area of law and absorb as much information as you can, whilst also looking to the future and considering career decisions on qualification. Whether your final seat is in your preferred department for qualification, or whether you are exploring a new and different area of law, it is a time to position yourself for the next chapter and maximise learning opportunities.
I am currently in my final seat in the Restructuring & Insolvency team at Michelmores, which is the team that I will be qualifying into in the coming weeks. With qualification now just around the corner, here are some of my own reflections which may be helpful to consider during your final seat to ensure a strong finish to your training contract.
1. Stepping into greater responsibility
By the final seat, trainees will have had an opportunity to navigate the firm’s systems, learn valuable time management techniques and develop communication skills with clients and colleagues. While supervision and support are always available, the final seat is an excellent opportunity to develop these skills and take greater responsibility for your work and the matters you are involved in. For example, take the time to consider the next steps in a matter and take a proactive approach to your workload. Practicing these skills at trainee level will help to set you up for qualification and should make the transition more seamless.
2. The qualification question
One of the defining features of the final seat is the looming decision about qualification. Whether you have known your preferred practice area since day one, or are still weighing up your options, this is the time to reflect and ask yourself: which practice area did you enjoy the most? Do you prefer contentious or non-contentious elements of work? What type of tasks do you enjoy completing?
Once you have conducted an internal evaluation of your strengths and areas of enjoyment, it is a good idea to have conversations with mentors, supervisors, and peers. These conversations are invaluable to ensure you have all the information required to make an informed decision on where to qualify. Being proactive and expressing an interest in the team you hope to join can go a long way when applying for newly qualified positions.
3. Building your professional brand
The final seat is not just limited to legal work; it is a good opportunity to develop your personal brand both internally and externally. In broad terms, your personal brand is your professional reputation and identity, which is essential for attracting opportunities and shaping your career trajectory. You should take the opportunities to attend external networking events with your team, but also make an effort to get to know colleagues from around your firm to develop your reputation internally, which can be helpful when approaching qualification. A strong personal brand is a powerful tool for career development and must be maintained throughout life as a qualified solicitor.
Final thoughts
Being a final seat trainee is about more than just maintaining a strong finish to your training contract. Qualification can be an uncertain and stressful time, but by looking ahead you can position yourself for a successful and smooth transition from trainee to newly qualified solicitor. It is a good idea to stay curious, be strategic, and lean into the opportunities around you.