Richard qualified into the Commercial Litigation practice in September 2011.

Before joining the Firm I read Law at Southampton University, graduating in 2008. After spending the summer travelling, I subsequently completed the LPC at the College of Law Guildford in 2009.

One of the most daunting aspects of pursuing a legal career is being faced with such a wide variety of law firms, and then making the difficult decision on which firm is best for you. Edwards Wildman stood out because of the comparatively small trainee intake each year. I wanted to be at a firm that would notice each individual trainee, but still wanted to be involved in high profile work and compete with other leading city law firms; so the Firm was an obvious choice for me.

Edwards Wildman also prides itself on prioritising a healthy work/life balance, which is a philosophy that has not changed since the merger. There is no expectancy to hang around in the office at night just to be seen there, and the firm encourages you to pursue your interests outside the office. I found this mentality very refreshing, because although everyone here is ambitious and hard-working, there is recognition that everyone is human and would like to go home at the end of the day!

My first contact with the Firm was through an Open Day. This provided the perfect opportunity to gain an insight into what was required of trainees and to meet a range of people, from current trainees to the Managing Partner. The open day was a chance for me to assess the firm and make a more informed decision about whether it was the right choice for me.

Following the Open Day I was invited to an Assessment Centre, including the nerve-racking ordeal of an interview! At the time I was concerned that I may have a lack of experience, having just completed my second year at university. However, the approach was not focused on how much legal knowledge I possessed at the time, but on my personality drive, enthusiasm and potential for the future (the legal knowledge can all fall into place in due course!)

After receiving an offer, the contact with the firm continued throughout the two years leading up to my first day at the office. There are social events such as the Trainee Winter Party, and even the odd phone call to check my progress at university and law school. During these two years the firm merged and the future trainees were invited to the office for an evening to discuss the merger and raise any queries we had.

My first seat was Insurance Litigation and I was involved with two large reinsurance cases; one an asbestos related reinsurance case, and the other with a strong international element. I shared an office with a Partner of the firm (who also trained with the firm). It was great to receive direct supervision from someone with a wealth of experience and knowledge. There was also a wide range of support staff here to help you as a trainee, so if you have any question large or small there is always someone available to ask.  I then went on to complete seats in Intellectual Property, Commercial Litigation and then a client secondment to Shell.  There was always a wide variety of work during my training and I arrived at qualification feeling ready to take the next step up.

Besides work, there are many social activities to get involved in. I play in the firm 5-a-side football team every week where we play against other law firms.  It's a great way to socialise with your colleagues beyond the confines of the office.  During my first week at the firm there was also a client football match, which was a great way of meeting clients on a social level. Also enjoyable are the 'impromptu' drinks, one of which resulted in some embarrassing karaoke performances from the new trainees. 

The atmosphere within the London office is one of progress, and it appears to be a great time to join the firm. The merger has provided a truly international perspective to the work here, but the personality of the firm remains the same as the firm I applied to all those years ago.