In our Back to the Future campaign, we're comparing expectation Vs reality when it comes to life as a Howard Kennedy Trainee. First Year Trainee Lucy Bowdery and Second Year Trainee Charlotte Colthurst compare notes.
Lucy- What skills do you think will be most important for your training contract?
Being organised, being keen and being resilient.
Charlotte- What skills have been most important for your training contract?
Time management, initiative and common sense.
Lucy- What do you think will be most difficult?
Juggling everything that needs to be done as well as keeping up outside hobbies and seeing friends and family to maintain a balance.
Charlotte- What has been the most difficult moment so far?
The first few weeks can be challenging in terms of settling in and getting into the rhythm of each new team.
Lucy- What are you most looking forward to?
Trying out new areas of law, since so far my experience is limited to Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence. Then (hopefully) finding an area in which I want to practice for the next 40 years!
Charlotte- What has been your best moment so far?
Meeting some wonderful people. Winning the Legal Talent Competition. Work highlights include working on a successful all-day mediation in Private Client to settle a long-running dispute and attending extremely time-sensitive commercial negotiations on-site for a golf club acquisition in M&A.
Lucy- Which seat do you think will be your favourite?
Although it's early, I have a good feeling about Employment since it has a mix of the litigation elements I am used to but also some advisory work. I would love to have a seat there and get stuck into some work.
Charlotte- Was the seat you thought would be your favourite actually your favourite?
I didn't start out with a favourite in mind; I have enjoyed each seat so far for different reasons. I enjoyed my seat in M&A a lot more than anticipated, and am currently in Commercial Disputes which is an area I have always been interested in.
Lucy- What non-fee earning activities are you looking to get involved in at Howard Kennedy?
Lots of events, sports and all-round 'mucking in' to help where I can as a Trainee. I have already managed to secure a place on the Trainee Editorial Board and I am looking forward to seeing what campaigns we come up with over the next 2 years!
Charlotte- What non fee-earning activities have you been involved with at Howard Kennedy?
Entering the Legal Talent Competition (and winning); organising the firm's inaugural Sports Day; presenting on Intellectual Property Rights to product design students at UAL; writing articles on Litigation, IP and Brexit; attending the Next Gen Sports Industry event; being part of the Social Committee and the HK Tag Rugby team.
Lucy- Why did you choose Howard Kennedy for your training contract?
I actually worked here before as a Paralegal since January 2019 so I already knew it was a great Firm with a good culture and environment. Plus whilst I do not fear hard work, Howard Kennedy has a great work-life balance compared to other firms in the City.
Charlotte- What have been your impressions of Howard Kennedy after a year at the Firm?
The people here embody the brand values, they talk straight, think smart and everyone is encouraged to be themselves.
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