L-R: Isla Graham, Claudia Preiss, Katie Marshall

We have now reached the end of our first month as trainees at Balfour+Manson. The past few weeks have been filled with new experiences, opportunities, and challenges, making the time fly by!

From the outset, we were made to feel incredibly welcome at the office. The induction programme was exceptionally well organised and provided a fantastic introduction to the firm and its people. We are also grateful to everyone at the firm that we have met so far for being so friendly and approachable. Starting our traineeship naturally felt nerve-wracking, but the kindness shown across the firm has made it much easier to settle in.

One of the highlights from our first week was a trainee day out organised by Michaela Guthrie, Partner, which included tours of both the Court of Session and the Sheriff Court. Having the opportunity to see the courts in person provided a valuable insight into the practical side of the legal world. It was also great fun to learn some trivia that will stay with us throughout our careers. This was followed by a trainee lunch, where we had the chance to get to know the second-year trainees, Lucy, Erin, and Daniel. It was an enjoyable way to start building connections within the trainee group, and they passed on their own tips and tricks from their first year as trainees.

Katie Marshall

My first month in the Public Law, Judicial Review and Human Rights team has been a whirlwind of new experiences, challenges, and opportunities to learn.

From my first day in the team, I have been involved in a wide range of work. I have had the opportunity to attend a court hearing, undertake legal research, draft emails and motions, initiate motions and petitions, prepare lists of authorities, and speak with potential new clients. Although some of these tasks initially felt daunting, being trusted with responsibility so early on has helped me to build my confidence.

I have also been incredibly fortunate to have Sindi Mules, Partner, assigned as my mentor during my first seat. From the beginning, she has made me feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged to make the most of every learning opportunity. She always takes the time to answer my (many) questions, explain unfamiliar concepts, and encourage me to think through problems independently. I feel very privileged to be starting my traineeship under her guidance and know that her advice will stay with me throughout my legal career.

A particular highlight of my first month was accompanying Sindi to the Court of Session for a By-Order hearing during my second week. I have never been so excited to take notes! Being able to observe the hearing and take notes so early into my traineeship was a standout moment for me.

I am excited to continue developing my skills, learning from the people around me and making the most of every opportunity that the rest of my first seat brings.

Isla Graham

My first month as a trainee has exceeded my expectations. I was not quite sure what to expect or how I would adapt, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the level of responsibility and challenge I have been given so far. The jump from legal academia to legal work is significant, but it is rewarding to finally see the practical impact of everything I spent five years studying.

Starting a traineeship can be daunting. As the most junior member of a team, it is natural to feel nervous. That is why being part of a supportive and collaborative team, where you feel comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance, is so important. I have been fortunate enough to experience exactly that within the private client team, where everyone has been incredibly approachable and encouraging.

Over the past month, I have been involved in a wide range of work, including attending client meetings, drafting wills and powers of attorney, assisting with executry administration, carrying out legal research, communicating with clients, preparing a Deed of Appointment for a Trust, and, of course, working on more than a few spreadsheets! I learn something new every day, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role.

My favourite part of being a trainee so far has been knowing that there is a real person behind every piece of work I undertake. Seeing the meaningful impact that even small tasks can have on a client’s circumstances is incredibly motivating. I have been fortunate to have a great deal of client interaction during my first month and am incredibly grateful to the many clients who have taken the time to wish me well in my traineeship. I am also looking forward to taking part in the Kiltwalk in September alongside my colleagues to raise money for the Dementia Trust, a charity whose work is particularly valuable within the private client sphere.

Claudia Preiss

Before starting, I had held a few preconceptions about what kind of work might be asked of trainees. I had not anticipated that I would be involved in work that has felt substantial from the beginning.

I feel incredibly lucky to be starting my traineeship in medical negligence and personal injury, areas that have been of interest to me throughout my studies. Over these first few weeks, I have undertaken a variety of tasks, including drafting letters of instruction to experts and counsel, attending thought-provoking consultations, taking new client enquiries, attending a pre-trial meeting, and taking notes during hearings in the Court of Session.

I am grateful for the team’s consistent support and encouragement as I build confidence and navigate this new learning curve.

It has been a privilege to begin this journey as part of a group of three. We are fortunate enough to be a particularly close-knit cohort, and we have also benefitted greatly from the support of the trainees in the year above us. Being able to share experiences, compare notes and encourage each other has made the transition into practice much easier. Although we are only one month into our traineeship, we have already learned so much and are excited to continue building on that knowledge, embracing new challenges, and making the most of our first seats.