I graduated with a law degree from the University of Liverpool in 2009 and completed my LPC at the College of Law, Moorgate in 2010. I then chose to defer my training contract for a year to study for a Masters degree in US law at New York University School of Law, graduating in May 2011.

Applying for training contracts in the second year of university is one of the most daunting tasks a law student has to face. With so many firms to choose from, it can be very hard to distinguish between them. I was one of the first cohort of applicants to apply to the newly merged Edwards Angell Palmer and Dodge (as it was then called) and was attracted by what seemed like a great mixture of an international firm, offering international work, but with a very collegiate and people-focussed atmosphere. I decided to apply for a vacation placement to put this impression to the test.

During my two weeks with the firm in the summer of 2008, I was not disappointed. Everyone seemed excited to be part of an international network of offices (which has now grown even larger due to the recent merger with another US firm, Wildman Harold, in October 2011) and the quality of work on offer was outstanding. No effort was spared to try to make us feel included. During my week in Commercial Litigation I was lucky enough to attend a High Court hearing as part of the litigation arising out of the Buncefield oil storage depot explosion. This was one of the biggest litigation cases in the courts in that year, so it was great to get exposure to such an important and complex matter. Besides departmental work there were also various workshops and trips organised including advocacy, negotiation and a tour of the Lloyd’s building. On the social side, we were taken bowling in the first week, which turned into a very long night in the pub with the trainees, and in the second week the interns were invited to the firm’s summer party at a local Cuban-themed bar – the firm-wide Macarena dance was definitely the highlight of the night!

Returning to Edwards Wildman on the training contract assessment day, I was confident that the firm would provide a great training environment, offering lots of trainee responsibility in warm and supportive surroundings. After I had accepted their offer, the firm was very good at keeping us engaged before we actually started work. Not only were we regularly updated with firm news, but all future trainees are invited to the summer and winter parties and to get involved in firm sports. The firm also arranged for me to visit the New York office while I was living there, which was a fantastic opportunity to meet some of my future transatlantic colleagues.

I am currently sitting in the Insurance and Reinsurance Department working on Regulatory and Transactional matters. In my first few weeks I have quickly become involved in a variety of exciting matters within my group and have also been instructed on a pro bono matter for the LawWorks scheme. Since starting I have felt so welcome and all previous impressions of the firm have been confirmed. There is so much to get involved in and the firm is still growing. There is also a really strong feeling that as new trainees we are seen as the future associates and partners of the firm, and the quality and thoroughness of the training programme reflects this.