Name: Olu Dansu – Solicitor, Corporate Finance @ Beachcroft LLP.
LL.B Business Law (Coventry University), LL.M Commercial & Corporate Law (UCL).
Member, Law Society
Associate, Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators
I did the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London, and the College ran a mentoring scheme which I was fortunate to participate in. My mentor was a solicitor in private practice and she was able to give me advice on how to complete application forms and interview techniques. I was also able to make use of the College's careers office facilities and these were an invaluable help, as I was able to get information on law firms and feedback from applicants who had previously attended interviews and assessment days at various firms.
One of the important areas to research on a firm is its culture, as this may determine whether or not you will fit in at the firm if accepted. A good starting point is to view a firm's website, particularly if they have profiles of their current trainees. This will give you an insight into the kind of people the firm recruits. For instance, if you notice that a firm only seems to recruit trainees that have graduated from certain universities, this may give you an indication of the type of candidates they may be inclined to consider.
After researching various firms, I decided to apply to do my training contract at Beachcroft.
This was because Beachcroft's trainees came from diverse backgrounds, including those who had not previously chosen law as their first career. I was also impressed with the broad range of seats that was available to trainees.
The selection process involved completing an online application form, after which I was invited to an assessment day and panel interview. The advice and assistance that I received from my mentor and the careers' service meant that I was prepared for the various tests that were administered at the assessment day. I was then made an offer which I accepted, and proceeded to do seats in professional risks (litigation), commercial property, corporate finance and construction.
On completion of my training contract, I decided to qualify into the corporate finance department. My work primarily involves dealing with companies or individuals on corporate matters such as advising on:
- the setting up of a company or business;
- the sale or purchase of a company or business;
- listing a company on the AIM market (the AIM market is the junior market to the main market of the London Stock Exchange)
- the terms of corporate agreements;
- various laws regulating companies and businesses in the UK.
I would say the most interesting part of my work is the unpredictability. As a lawyer, most of the work I do is driven by clients and their needs. Most times, you have no idea which of your clients would be contacting you during the day, and what their questions or requirements may be. This means you have to try to be prepared at all times to be called upon by a client, and to try to find answers to their questions as best you can. Most times, this may involve you carrying out specific research, or simply speaking to colleagues who are more experienced and may have dealt with similar issues previously.
My typical day is usually a mixed bag of activities. Depending on the nature of work that I am involved with, my day may consist of the following:
- advising clients, either by phone, email or in person;
- attending meetings with clients;
- discussing and negotiating with other lawyers;
- drafting agreements or legal documents;
- carrying out legal research;
- attending training courses and seminars to keep up to date on the latest legal developments.
Law is a broad subject area and I would advise anyone considering a career in the law to try to identify the area of law that is of interest to them at an early stage. Once you have identified an area, research it thoroughly and know beforehand what the path to qualifying in that area entails. A career in law can be rewarding, but it is also challenging, and the search for a training contract or pupillage can sometimes be frustrating. It is therefore essential that you have the motivation to face up to any challenges or obstacles that you may face in your quest for qualification.
Some of the advice that I was given when I was applying for my training contract, which I found quite useful, include the following:
- research each firm carefully and make sure that you meet the minimum standards that they have set, e.g. some firms will only consider certain levels of academic grades;
- always get someone else to check your application before you submit it. It is always easier for a fresh pair of eyes to spot any errors that you may not have noticed;
- try to include a positive attribute about you that differentiates you from other candidates, this may be a prize you have won, language skills, voluntary work you have undertaken, etc;
- If you do not have prior legal experience, e.g. through a vacation scheme, but have other forms of work experience, include these and highlight the transferable skills that exist between the role and that of a lawyer. For example, if you have worked as a customer service advisor, this can be evidence that you have developed communication and problem-solving skills, which are relevant skills for a lawyer to have.