I joined the Firm in September 2010. Prior to starting, I read law at the University of Manchester, before working for 7 months as a recruitment consultant and then travelling throughout Australia and New Zealand. I completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School Manchester in 2010.

My first meeting with the Firm was open day in my final year of University. I remember being impressed by the quality of work that the firm was involved in and the opportunities that the firm's recent merger was opening up. Equally impressive was the friendly, open atmosphere that pervaded the firm. Each and every one of the trainees that I met spoke enthusiastically of the value that the firm places on its trainees both with regards to the training they received and the work that they were involved in. Leaving the offices that day, I had no doubt that I would be applying for a training contract in the summer!

The next time I came to the Firm's offices was for my assessment day at the end of summer 2008. Again, a real effort was made by all at the Firm to make me and the other applicants feel welcome and comfortable for what was to be a long and challenging day. I really got the impression that everybody I met at the firm wanted me to do well and show myself in the best light. The partners interviewing me showed real interest in my personal achievements, experiences and views and not just my academic history. I was delighted when I received a phone call from the Trainee Principal later that week offering me a training contract. It was an easy decision to accept. 

Once I accepted the offer, the firm made a fantastic effort to keep me and the other future trainees in touch with the firm. Not only was regularly contacted with updates, I was also invited to attend various social events. These were great fun and also a wonderful opportunity to meet future colleagues. On my first day in the office, I certainly did not feel like a stranger.

There have also been a number of exciting developments since I applied back in 2008. The firm has continued to expand in London, both strengthening its core practice areas and adding new ones, including Intellectual Property, Private Equity & Venture Capital, Competition and Banking.  This expansion is planned to continue by all accounts. The firm has also opened an office in Hong Kong providing greater opportunities to work overseas. Another exciting development has been the firm's relocation to its new impressive offices just a stone's throw from Liverpool Street.

In September 2010 I began my training contract sitting in Insurance Litigation. I shared an office with a partner who trained at the firm himself. The close level of supervision and guidance from such an experienced lawyer in his field was incredible and I genuinely learn something new everyday. From the outset, I was involved in helping to prepare for a major arbitration and immediately felt like an important part of the team. On my second day in the seat, I was able to attend meetings with the clients and then the Queen's Counsel who we had instructed on the matter! I've since completed a client secondment to the FSA and am now sitting in the new Banking practice.

The Firm prides itself on providing excellent training and a fantastic support structure. My experiences so far at Edwards Wildman have certainly been in line with this. I have already attended a number of extremely useful training courses, both externally and in-house. As regards the support structure, we really are spoilt for choice with a supervisor, a partner mentor, a trainee buddy and the Trainee Principal. The firm as a whole has a collegiate culture and everybody is approachable and happy to help whenever it is needed.

The opportunity to be involved in high quality international work in the setting of an open and collegiate workplace with a real focus on training makes Edwards Wildman, in my view, an exceptional place to start my career.