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Graduate Opportunities

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Contact us:gradrecruitment@michelmores.com 01392 687763 www.michelmores.com

Welcome to our 2015/16 graduate recruitment brochure. As Michelmores’ Training Principal I have the pleasure of being involved in the recruitment of our talented trainees – and seeing them develop into highly respected, well-rounded business advisors.

Trainees at Michelmores have a very important role to play within the firm. We recruit to retain and view our trainees as our future Associates and Partners, and as such we are dedicated to their successful development.

Michelmores is an excellent place to jump start your career. Our collegiate culture, combined with a carefully designed Trainee Development Programme provides our trainees with professional skills training and on-going knowledge development, whilst working alongside renowned leaders in their field. The level of responsibility given to our trainees is high. All have the opportunity to work with top quality clients on exciting and varied matters.

Our HQ might be in Exeter, but our lawyers advise a range of clients in all sectors across the UK, and approximately 15% of our work has an international element.

I hope this brochure gives you a real taste of what it is like to work and train at Michelmores. Please get in touch if you have any questions – we are always keen to hear from you.

WELCOME

Sacha Pickering, Training Principal

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OUR BRAND PRINCIPLESAt Michelmores we work to four key brand principles which we believe help our lawyers to become 'more than just lawyers' to our clients.

CLIENTS’ SHOES

We place our clients at the heart of everything we do. This means we are looking for people who can put themselves in our clients’ shoes and be able to see the world from their perspective. Our aim is to understand their business challenges, listen to their needs and provide solutions. You will be exposed to a wide variety of clients throughout your training contract, providing you with a rich experience to develop your client skills.

SUCCESS AS A TEAM

Collaboration across the firm is vital to being able to provide the best possible service to our clients. We also recognise that it is the difference between people that is the source of creativity. We will provide you with the support you need to understand the different roles of colleagues across the firm, and by recognising and valuing the strengths of individuals and working collaboratively, you can play an integral role in helping us provide the best solutions for our clients.

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FORGING OPPORTUNITIES

Our aim is to be at the forefront of peoples’ mind. To do this we need to build individual reputations, create networks, make introductions, recommend colleagues and develop new relationships. Our lawyers are constantly looking to link people together, to create networks not just for Michelmores, but for our clients too. As a trainee solicitor, you will be encouraged to see the opportunities and help us spot the gaps and bring people together.

360° THINKING

We pride ourselves on delivering innovative solutions to complex problems. This involves deep technical expertise, analytical enquiry and astute commercial instinct. A significant number of our lawyers have been recognised as leaders in their field. You will have the opportunity to work alongside and have close contact with a range of partners and lawyers across the firm, all of whom are committed to supporting your learning to ensure you succeed.

a renewables investment

a boundary dispute

a succession challenge

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OUR SECTORS

At Michelmores we take a sector approach because we understand that clients don't always think of things from a legal perspective. They think about their own challenges. We have taken this approach in order to better understand our clients and offer tailored legal advice informed by our shared sector knowledge.

1. FINANCE & INVESTMENT

Our Finance & Investment team acts for many of the major banks, finance institutions and insurers in the UK and internationally. The sector is broken down into sub-groups which reflect our expertise in banking, insurance, investment funds and wealth management.

2. PRIVATE WEALTH

Our Private Wealth team comprises over 40 lawyers and provides a wide range of advice to individuals, trustees, estates and institutions. The team has built a strong national reputation, providing commercial and practical solutions to private clients.

3. REAL ESTATE

Our Real Estate team is recognised as a leading force in the South West – with a significant presence in London. We act for clients operating in the sector including commercial developers, house builders, investors, land promoters, main contractors and real estate advisers.

4. ENERGY & RENEWABLES

We work at the forefront of the renewable energy sector, both in the UK and internationally. The team delivers specialist legal advice, and consists of lawyers drawn from our commercial, corporate, banking, environmental, property and planning teams.

5. EDUCATION

Our Education team is dedicated to providing high quality advice to over 150 schools, plus universities and higher education colleges across the UK. The team is particularly well-known for innovative work with maintained schools, academies and free schools.

6. AGRICULTURE

We have the largest team of agricultural lawyers in the country, offering practical and commercial advice to landowners, farming businesses, landed estates, institutions and others with interests in land and the wider rural economy.

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7. MANUFACTURING

We advise a wide range of clients in the manufacturing, engineering and technology sectors. This specialist sector group delivers commercial legal advice, from the acquisition and disposal of companies, employment IP, dispute resolution, to the acquisition of land and premises.

8. RETAIL

We advise retailers across the UK, providing proactive, clear advice on all aspects of the retail sector, including commercial contracts, employment matters, intellectual property, IT and outsourcing, supply chain contracts and property investment.

9. PUBLIC SECTOR We are the legal partner of choice for over 150 public sector clients across England and Wales, including Central Government departments, executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and local authorities.

VISIT WWW.MICHELMORES.COM

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR WORK

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DEALS DONE

ADMINISTRATION

Advised the main creditor to the Rangers Football Club PLC in relation to its legal and commercial position.

RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB PLC

EQUITY INVESTMENT

Advised Bamboo Finance, a global private equity group, on its US$3m Series B investment in BBOXX Limited.

BAMBOO FINANCE

SALE

Advised the selling shareholders on the sale of G L Hearn, to Capita.

G L HEARN

ACQUISITION

Acted for award-winning Spanish-headquartered engineering firm Gamma Solutions SL on its acquisition of two consented solar farms.

GAMMA SOLUTIONS SL

DISPOSAL

Advised the Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime on the sale of New Scotland Yard (8-10 Broadway, Victoria, London) to the Abu Dhabi Financial Group for £370 million.

MOPAC

MBO

Acted on the MBO of Plum Underwriting, Lloyd’s broker and MGA backed by Global Risk Partners.

PLUM UNDERWRITING

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ADMINISTRATION

Acted on behalf of York Global Finance in relation to the administration of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) – one of the largest international disputes in recent years.

YORK GLOBAL FINANCE

JOINT VENTURE

Supported international law firm Taylor Wessing on a joint venture between employment specialist Remploy Employment Services and Maximus.

REMPLOY EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

SALE

Acted on behalf of longstanding client, Magicseaweed (MSW) on the acquisition by Surfstitch Group.

MAGICSEAWEED

DEBT INVESTMENT

Advised the Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation and the Norwegian Fund for Developing Countries on their respective debt investments of $3.85m into Nam Sim Power Company Limited (a hydropower company).

FINNFUND | NORFUND

MBO

Acted for MK Test Group Limited, a leading global provider of automated electrical test solutions to the aerospace, rail and oil and gas industries, in a £20m buyout. This won “Deal of the Year” at the Insider Dealmaker Awards in June 2015.

MK TEST GROUP LTD

SHARE ISSUE

Advised Chelwood Community Energy Limited (CCE) on a £2.75m share issue, to help fund its community renewable energy scheme.

CHELWOOD COMMUNITY ENERGY LTD

EXETER Headcount: 400Our Exeter HQ offers an open plan working environment that encourages teamwork and helps us to deliver a seamless service to our clients.

BRISTOLHeadcount: 40Established in 2012Our Bristol office is in the city centre, by the river at Broad Quay. Its central location makes it a great place for lunches out and socialising after work.

LONDONHeadcount: 35Established in 2005Our London office is located on Chancery Lane, right in the heart of the capital's legal district and plays a vital role in our growth strategy.

OFFICE LOCATIONS

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INTERNATIONAL

ANGOLAARGENTINAAUSTRALIABANGLADESHBRAZILCAMBODIACAMEROONCANADACHILECHINADENMARKDRCFINLANDFRANCEGERMANYGHANAGREECEHONG KONGINDIAINDONESIAIRAQISRAELITALYIVORY COASTJAPANKENYAMADAGASCARMALAWIMAURITIUSMONGOLIAMOZAMBIQUENEVISNIGERIANORWAYPAKISTANRUSSIASIERRA LEONESOUTH AFRICASPAINSWITZERLANDTANZANIATURKEYUGANDAUKUSAVANUATUYEMENZAMBIAZIMBABWE

We act for UK and international clients undertaking cross-border and international investment activities worldwide.

For business and private clients our services include:

• foreign direct investment (into the UK and overseas)• private equity and funds• real estate investment• corporate investment• tax efficient offshore trusts

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YangTze Law

In June 2015 Michelmores supported the launch of the UK's first wholly Chinese-owned law firm – YangTze Law.

YangTze Law, has been set up as an Alternative Business Structure, following approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority, to serve the needs of a new generation of mainland Chinese corporates looking to invest in the UK and Europe.

We host a variety of events throughout the year for clients, contacts and staff. Staff from all office locations get together regularly for social events, including the late summer ball, Christmas parties and family fun days.

Client events include the Michelmores Property Awards, quarterly Business Breakfasts and a wide range of conferences, seminars, and networking opportunities.

Every year, the Michelmores offices in Exeter, Bristol and London choose a Charity of the Year to support. For the last two years the firm’s Exeter office’s Charity of the Year has been Macmillan Cancer Support, for whom Michelmores has raised over £50,000. One of our largest charity events is the annual Michelmores Charity Run.

Our offices also fundraise for other national charity days such as Comic Relief, Children in Need and more.

EVENTS

CHARITABLE WORK

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• £5,000 bursary

• £22,500 first year salary, £25,000 second year salary (Exeter)

• £27,500 first year salary, £30,000 second year salary (Bristol)

• Fully funded LPC with the University of Law (outside of London)

• Training contract based in either Exeter with an opportunity for a seat in London and/or Bristol, or based in Bristol with a seat in Exeter

• Trainee positions in 2018: seven in Exeter, one in Bristol

• Four seats of six months

• 13 seats to choose from across all departments

• Secondment opportunities

• Ongoing training and development programmes for all solicitors at every stage of their career

OUR GRADUATE SCHEME

If you meet our selection

criteria the next stage will be toshine at

video interview

If you are successful at video

interview, you will be invited to the next

stage

Decided we are the right firm

for you?Apply online

Get to know us

• Visit our website • Attend our open day • Speak to us at a law fair• Connect with us

OUR APPLICATION PROCESS

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If you impress us

during your time at the firm, we’ll be delighted to

offer you a training contract with us

You’ll be invited to meet the

graduate recruitment team and attend a

face-to-face interview

If you impress us at interview we’ll

invite you to join us for our

summer vacation scheme

You’ll be invited to

attend an assessment

day

Vacation scheme

applicants

Training contract

applicants

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HR were very welcoming and really put everyone at ease. I felt that the firm was genuinely interested in getting to know me and also encouraged me to get to know the firm. Meeting with some of the lawyers over lunch, from trainees to partners, really allowed me to do this and gave me a real sense of the culture at Michelmores.

Seema Nanua, 2016 Bristol trainee22

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OUR SUMMER VACATION SCHEME

Our Vacation Scheme is a great way for you to find out what it is like to work at Michelmores.

We run two, one week vacation placement schemes at our Exeter office each July. The scheme is as much about you getting to know Michelmores as a place to work, as it is about us getting to know you.

You will have the opportunity to spend time in one department for the week, to gain real hands-on experience in one area of law. You will also get an insight into life as a trainee by attending client meetings and doing 'real work'.

You will attend workshops run by lawyers from across the business to learn more about our different teams, sectors and quality of work. You will also have the chance to get to know us informally through lunches and drinks with trainees, lawyers and partners, which will give you the opportunity to gain a valuable understanding of what life at Michelmores is really like. As well as giving you lots of opportunities to get to know us, we want to really get to know you by the end of the week through our formal selection exercises and informally over lunch and social events.

Although we can't guarantee you a training contract at the end of it, we can guarantee that you will gain an invaluable experience to help shape your future career.

Apply online before 28 February 2016 for our 2016 Summer Vacation Scheme

ASSESSMENT DAYS

If you choose to apply directly for a training contract, you will undergo an Assessment Day with us. We run Assessment Days at our Exeter and Bristol offices in the late summer.

As well as allowing us to assess your suitability for a training contract at Michelmores, our Assessment Days are packed full of opportunities for you to discover whether we are the right firm for you. You will meet a number of partners, lawyers and trainees throughout the day, in both formal and informal sessions, and will have the opportunity to ask plenty of questions, to find out what it is really like to train with us.

Apply online before 31 July 2016 for our 2018 Training Contracts

Assessments you will complete during the Vacation Scheme and Assessment Days:

• Written exercise• Verbal reasoning test • Group exercise• Article discussion with a partner• Formal interview with a partner and a member of HR

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TRAINING TIMELINE

Structured induction programme

On the job training in your first seat

Bite-sized workshops throughout your first three months

Research and knowledge management training

YEAR ONE

Find out more: Read Ashley's blog 'The day had finally arrived…'www.michelmores.com/news-views

On the job training in your third seat

Negotiation skills training

Opportunity for a seat in our London office

Secondmentopportunities

YEAR TWO

Find out more: Read Megan's blog 'Did someone say 'Secondment''

www.michelmores.com/news-views

Find out more: Read Naomi's blog 'My first month in London'

www.michelmores.com/news-views

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NQ workshops designed to support you through the transition into your qualified solicitor role

Structured training programmes for every stage of your career – from trainee to partnership

POST QUALIFICATION

And your training doesn't stop there...

Communication and relationship building workshops

Financial management training

Core PSCmodules

On the job training in your second seat

Business writing skills

Further financial management training

On the job training in your final seat

PSC electives

Networking training

Trainees receive regular feedback and

quarterly reviews

The trainee development programme at Michelmores is excellent – the firm works hard to make sure it gives you every opportunity you need to be prepared for the challenges of being a qualified lawyer.

James Eley, NQ Exeter

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TRAINEE DEVELOPMENT

As a trainee with the firm, you will be encouraged to be yourself and shape your learning within a high-quality and supervised environment.

We believe that investing in the development of our trainees is vital to the continuing success and growth of Michelmores. Our development programme will build your skills and knowledge across a range of areas, and includes:

• Learning from internal experts as part of your 'on the job' training and technical skills development

• A tailor-made personal development programme aligned to your specific skill set• Coaching and support on a one-to-one basis in relation to seat options• Attending external conferences, seminars and workshops• A structured programme of internal and external workshops to ensure you become

a fully-rounded business professional

Working closely with a designated supervisor day-to-day, you will be given early responsibility, client exposure and very quickly become an integral member of the team. The training contract consists of four placements, each of six months duration. Whilst you will be involved in choosing your seats, we are keen to ensure you gain exposure to a broad cross-section of the business. We also offer our Exeter-based trainees the opportunity to spend six months in our London and/or Bristol offices, and for our Bristol trainees, the opportunity to spend six months at our Exeter HQ.

Located in the South West, Exeter is consistently ranked highly in the best places to live in the UK. Not only is it home to many large organisations such as the Met Office, it also offers a great lifestyle outside of work.

Exeter offers a unique mix of busy city life, with sweeping countryside and idyllic beaches only a few miles out of the city’s centre.

Set around a historic harbour, the city of Bristol is the South West’s largest urban hub. Named as England’s first ‘cycling city’, it is home to over 450 parks and green spaces and offers easy access to all of the highlights of the South West. Bristol also boasts an impressive mix of theatres, live music venues and festivals.

LIFE IN THE SOUTH WEST

FLY FROM EXETER TO LONDON CITY IN 45 MINUTES

EXPLORE NEARBY DARTMOOR AND EXMOOR NATIONAL PARKS

FIND GREAT PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK28

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GET FROM THE EXETER OFFICE TO THE BEACH IN 20 MINUTES

EXPERIENCE THE SOUTH WEST’S MUSIC SCENE

WATCH PREMIERSHIP RUGBY 5 MINUTES FROM THE EXETER OFFICE

ENJOY THE VIBRANT CITY OF BRISTOL, AN HOUR ON THE TRAIN FROM EXETER

TRAINEE BENEFITS

Fully funded Legal Practice Course with the University of Law (outside of London)

£5,000 bursary

Competitive salary, reviewed on an annual basis

BENEFITS

HOLIDAY

22 days holiday for first year trainee solicitors, rising to 25 days for second year trainees

Additional paid day off on your birthday, and an extra day at Christmas

Ability to 'buy' additional annual leave

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SAVING MONEY

'Perkz' discounts at leading national retailers

Season ticket loan

Subsidised Café, discounted on-site hairdressing, dry cleaning, car valeting, sports massages (Exeter only)

INCENTIVE SCHEMES

'On the Spot' rewards for excellent performance

Personal recognition incentive scheme

Firm-wide bonus scheme

PENSION & LIFE ASSURANCE

Group Personal Pension Plan

Life assurance

WELLBEING

Private medical insurance

Employee Assistance Programme and Lawcare

Free fruit in all offices

FITNESS

Cycle to Work Scheme

Michelmores Sports Committee

In-house gym (Exeter only)

Discounted membership at Fitness First and David Lloyd (all locations)

CHARITY & VOLUNTEERING

Volunteering days – one paid day off per year to volunteer at a local charitable organisation

Payroll giving

Probono opportunities

Henry TaylorAssociate, Exeter

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What do you think is unique about Michelmores? You often hear people say that Michelmores has a special “culture” and it’s true. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but it’s just a great place to work. I think that a lot of it is down to the feeling you get that people really want to work here, which leads to a collegiate atmosphere.

What has been the highlight of the last year?I work in the Corporate team, and 2015 has been a really busy year for us, with lots of transactions completing. Every completion is exciting, but a real highlight for me was acting on the sale of Magicseaweed to SurfStitch, an Australian listed company. Magicseaweed provides surf forecasting data and is also a surf retail outlet. As a surfer myself, this is one the websites I visit the most, so it was great to be involved in the deal!

Tell me about your average dayPart of what I like about the area of work I do is that no two days are the same. Every transaction is different, with lots of moving parts and its own quirks. One day, I may be out and about seeing clients and trying to get under the skin of their businesses, and the next I may be in meetings negotiating a transaction. And then of course

there are the days in the office where I can be on the phone to clients and lawyers acting on the other side of deals and drafting and negotiating documents.

What deals have you worked on recently? As well as the Magicseaweed deal, I recently acted for Mobeus on its investment into Tushingham Sails, which specialises in stand up paddleboards and windsurf equipment. Further afield, I do a lot of work for funds investing into Africa, which has included deals in Kenya, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Mauritius.

Tell me about something that you have become involved in whilst at Michelmores that you wouldn’t have expected The work that I undertake in the emerging markets, and especially in Africa, is not something that I anticipated being involved in when I started at Michelmores. These are really exciting deals, all with their own challenges, so it is great to play a part.

What was the last picture you took on your phone?My two young sons walking through a maize maze near Exeter. We were quite lost at the time!

group of engaged, interesting and ambitious lawyers in a firm of this size.

What is the best thing about coming into work every day?I think my colleagues are great and I genuinely enjoy the work – the clients and the intellectual challenge of the things they ask me about.

What has been your highlight of the last year?There have been quite a few satisfying work achievements, and our team is in a really good place in terms of people and plans for the future. I was also named as a ‘rising star’ in eprivateclient’s Top 35 under 35 list this year, which was a real honour – and a complete surprise! Outside work, it has been seeing my eldest start school.

What was the last piece of music you listened to? I would love to reply with any track from my (I think) brilliant and eclectic music collection, but in fact the last song I listened to was “Let it Go” from Frozen…. on repeat and with my children singing along (I have a four year old and two year old twins).

What attracted you to working at Michelmores?There were a few factors. Mainly, I wanted to move to the South West from London – I grew up here, and it was time after 13 years in London. However, I really wanted to carry on working for the sort of clients I worked for at a City firm, and with other lawyers who had similar ambitions. Michelmores was the answer.

How does the quality of work at Michelmores compare to the London firm where you were before? I wasn’t prepared to compromise on continuing to do really interesting work, and I have certainly found that the quality of work at Michelmores is excellent. There is a difference in that my old firm tended to act for a lot of very high profile clients. Whereas at Michelmores, while we still have high profile clients, we have a more varied client base which makes the work interesting.

What do you think is unique about Michelmores?A lot of firms talk about “culture”, but the culture here really is great. People are good to each other, and social events are always fun. Also, I think it is fairly unique to have such a big

Jennifer RidgwayAssociate, Exeter

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Emily TimminsSolicitor, London

combination…). It was a qualifying law degree so I then took my Legal Practice Course (LPC) at the College of Law (now renamed the University of Law) in Guildford. I managed to fit in a gap year in between where I did a ski season in the French Alps and some travelling in South East Asia.

Tell me about something that you have become involved in whilst at Michelmores that you wouldn’t have expectedI was involved with the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre South West acting pro-bono as their company secretary for about three years. I met some really lovely people and got to understand and learn about MS and the work the charity does.

Have you followed someone on Twitter/Instagram you can recommend?I would have to recommend following one of my latest clients who I have worked with as a start-up company in London and who are beginning to do really well – and I also buy their amazing healthy meal kits: @MindfulChefUK. Follow them!

What prompted your move from Exeter to the London office?I trained and qualified in Exeter, however because our TMC/IP team is located in both the London and Exeter offices, I had an opportunity to support the head of the team in London.

What do you enjoy most about the London office? The London office is like one big team as there are about 40 of us sitting in an open plan office. Partners, solicitors and PAs all mix together for lunch and various social events, which you may not get in a larger office. We recently had a tennis tournament, and despite managing to sprain my ankle, it was great fun!

Why did you choose to qualify in TMC/IP?I always wanted to be in a fast-moving area of law – not dealing with hundred year-old deed packets! TMC/IP really ticks those boxes and as I am often helping clients with day-to-day commercial issues, you get to know your clients really well, which makes the job really rewarding.

What was your route into the law?I studied Chemistry and Law at the University of Exeter (I know – it seems like a strange

Adam QuintTrainee, Exeter

tasks throughout the day were challenging but you could tell that everyone there wanted you to do well and were not there to trip you up. The lunch with the trainees was a great opportunity to get some real and honest insight into working with the firm and I particularly enjoyed the partner interview which was much less terrifying than I thought it would be! I left the day feeling mentally exhausted but positive.

Where are you spending your first seat? I am currently sitting with the Education team in the Real Estate department, it’s an interesting and varied seat. I have had to use land law knowledge whilst drafting documents to apply to the Land Registry, company law when looking at the Articles of Association of a school, and research skills when looking into education law, which is a new area for me.

What book are you reading at the moment?’After reading “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safron Foer, I am currently working my way through his other books. They’re perhaps the only thing that can drag me away from the Great British Bake Off on a Wednesday night or bingeing on the American version of The Office on any other night!

Why did you choose to apply to Michelmores? Researching law firms and deciding which ones you want to apply for is always a difficult process. However, after narrowing down my search to the South West, Michelmores soon appeared as it had recently opened its Bristol office and taken on a lot more staff. It looked like an exciting firm to be a part of and the huge range of practice areas on offer appealed to me. After visiting the firm at its impressive office in Exeter and meeting so many friendly and approachable people, I decided that it was the firm I wanted to work for.

Tell me about your route into lawI was lucky enough to secure my training contract in my second year of university so I took a rather short route! I graduated from the University of Exeter with an LLB Law degree in 2014. I then attended the University of Law in Bristol before beginning my training contract in September 2015.

What do you remember about the Assessment Day you attended here?It was the only Assessment Day that I can honestly say I enjoyed! Whilst my nerves were running high at the start of the day, I soon felt relaxed by the friendly and warm welcome. The

DOWNLOAD THE LAYAR APP AND SCAN THIS PAGE TO HEAR MORE FROM ADAM

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Holly DobbinsNQ, Exeter

What was the highlight of your training contract?Too many to mention! Can I give two? During my Clinical Negligence Seat, I’ll never forget attending a tense round table conference in chambers in London where we fiercely negotiated a settlement worth hundreds of thousands of pounds on behalf of our client. And in Real Estate, successfully completing my supervisor’s house purchase (terrifying!).

Why did you choose to qualify in Real Estate?I am a property geek! Property is the most tangible and important asset in most people’s lives and I get a kick out of helping clients manage those assets.

What was your route into the law?A bit of a winding one, to be honest! I almost applied for Law when finishing my International Baccalaureate, but was advised by my tutors that I could return to it later. I studied History at York University, and after, became a retail manager. Although retail was great fun (and the commercial experience has stood me in good stead), I realised it was not for me. So I chose to retrain in law, taking a two year Law degree at Cardiff University, followed by the LPC, with a year out in Italy in between.

Why Exeter?There’s a great culture in Exeter. There’s so many professional firms based here, whose staff work hard but value their time spent on the beach, down the pub or getting out and about in the countryside. It’s a great work-life balance.

What would you say to anyone thinking about joining Michelmores’ training programme?The HR team here will tell you that they are looking for future Partners. Many firms say it, but few of them mean it. Being part of a growing firm, I am always been given new opportunities to progress my career.

Have you followed someone on Twitter/Instagram you can recommend?I would recommend Richard Susskind, the author of “Tomorrow’s Lawyers: An Introduction to Your Future” (@richardsusskind). At the cutting edge of predicting the future of the legal profession.

DOWNLOAD THE LAYAR APP AND SCAN THIS PAGE TO HEAR MORE FROM HOLLY

What is the best thing about working in Bristol?Working as part of the Bristol team has been fantastic – doing top quality work for a huge variety of clients. You are fairly multi-functional as the trainee here and get work from everyone in the team, mainly across the Private Wealth and Agriculture sectors. Bristol as a city offers everything that London has to offer and is without doubt the most under-rated city to live in Britain.

Tell me about your average dayHeavily infused with coffee but never a dull moment. My supervisor will get me involved in drafting client letters, contracts and witness statements, as well as conducting research on tricky legal issues. The nature of the work means client contact is extensive and barely a day goes by without a client meeting.

Is life as a trainee at Michelmores what you expected?I have been allowed to be a lot more ‘hands on’ than I had expected – and much more than my peers at other law firms. The greater exposure to responsibility and clients certainly makes for a better and more well-rounded training. Above all it has been fun.

How did you find the transition from university to the workplace?I graduated in 2011 and worked in the City before starting my Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Law Masters (LLM) so I was already fairly well acclimatised to office life. However, after studying for two years I was itching to get back into the workplace.

Who would be your top three dinner party guests?Andrew Maynard (Michelmores’ Director of Client Services), Hunter S. Thompson and Gerard Depardieu.

Tom WilliamsTrainee, Bristol

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Michelmores Open Day: 9 February 2016

2016 summer vacation scheme: Applications by 28 February 2016

2018 training contract applications: Applications by 31 July 2016

KEY DATES

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AWARDS

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Woodwater HousePynes HillExeterDevonEX2 5WR

01392 688688

48 Chancery LaneLondonWC2A 1JF

020 7659 7660

Broad Quay HouseBroad QuayBristolBS1 4DJ

0117 906 9300

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www.michelmores.com