Nicola Lee

Name and background

Hi, my name is Nicola Lee and I work in Clarke Willmott’s Birmingham office. I qualified into the construction department in September 2009, after having joined the firm two years ago when I started my training contract here. Prior to my training contract, I studied law at Birmingham University, followed by my LPC at the Birmingham College of Law.

Why I chose Clarke Willmott

When it came to the stage of training contract applications, the main factors which attracted me to Clarke Willmott were; firstly, the firm’s reputation in the national legal press as a developing practice both in the South West and the Midlands. Clarke Willmott appealed as a midsize expanding firm with strong local roots and national reach. Also, the firm’s strong commercial client base appealed as it would provide the type of work I was interested in gaining experience in. And finally, having studied in Birmingham for a number of years, I was keen to be based in the region and to be at the heart of the city’s thriving commercial centre with its growing legal reputation.

What I’ve found Clarke Willmott to be like since starting

I have really enjoyed my training contract with the firm and since joining Clarke Willmott I have found that throughout the various departments I have worked in there is a common focus on each individual’s contribution to the team effort. I think the firm seems to attract similar minded people with a strong team ethic. The working environment within the firm is conducive to this as all of the offices are open plan, and therefore partners and other more senior members of staff are accessible and willing to have a chat. At the beginning of the training contract, trainees are given a comprehensive induction programme which covers all aspects of the next 2 years as well as thorough training on the IT systems such as time recording. The induction is a really useful introduction to the firm and the systems, especially if you have not worked in a solicitor’s office before.

How I was supported as a new trainee

The supervision of trainees during the training contract is very good and at the start of each seat you would be allocated a partner within your department, who would have ultimate supervision over your work and who would also be your main point of contact. In addition, you would also usually be allocated to a more junior member of the team, who you liaise with on a day-to-day basis. This arrangement can be really useful, especially if you have any questions you feel you don’t want to ask the partner. As you progress in your seats and become more familiar with the area of law that you are working in, your supervisor will delegate work of an increasing level of responsibility. This is a really good approach to take, as you are not usually thrown in at the deep end but are allowed to progress at a natural pace.

Being part of a firm the size of Clarke Willmott, means that you also have access to extensive support such as a knowledge services team who specialise in legal know how and who can be particularly helpful with the research tasks trainees are often asked to undertake. In addition, a member of the HR team is allocated specifically to trainees and therefore you always have a point of contact for any questions or issues. They also help guide you through decisions such as which seats to undertake and the processes on qualification.

How I see my career progressing

Within the firm there are clear opportunities for progression to the level of associate, senior associate and partner, provided that certain criteria and standards are met. It is helpful to have this transparent structure as even as a trainee it gives you something to aspire to and to work towards. Over the next few years, I would hope to grow with Clarke Willmott’s construction department as it builds its reputation and client base within the Birmingham market. I would also hope to gain more specialised experience in the construction sector and potentially conduct further study in construction law to enable me to focus my knowledge, continue my learning and ultimately be able to provide a better service to the client.

Why someone should choose Clarke Willmott

As I have already mentioned, there are many reasons for wanting to be part of Clarke Willmott. The practice is a growing firm, offering a variety of legal specialisms, with a good calibre of client. It has an atmosphere where each individual is valued for their own contribution to the team effort.