What our people Say

From Trainee to Partner

When did you join J&P and doing what ?

I joined J&P as a Paralegal in the Residential Property department in September 2010 following completion of the Legal Practice Course with BPP Law School.

How long was your training contract and what did you achieve from this ?

I started my training contract in May 2011 and it lasted for 2 years. Due to previous work experience I was quite sure I knew the area into which I wanted to qualify already, so I made sure I made the most of this period to learn as much as I could and really build on the basics learnt through my studies. I was very lucky to train under a fantastic, well-experienced Partner so it was great to be able to learn from his wealth of knowledge. I was also given a lot of client contact and responsibility to progress files so this helped to build my confidence, whilst having the security of supervision to ensure my development was on the right track.

How did you find the transition from trainee solicitor and newly qualified ?

I qualified into the Residential Property department. It was slightly daunting to be issued files into my own name but as I had been lucky to have so much client contact already this helped the process as I was used to already being the first point of contact for numerous clients. Taking ownership of the files was a proud moment for me.

How did J&P manage the transition ?

Luckily the support does not finish when you qualify, and indeed it continues to this day. I was free to develop my own style of working whilst having access to templates and shared resources to assist with this. The relaxed culture within the department meant that I felt comfortable discussing particular queries with other fee earners when needed. J&P also recognised when the need for additional support became apparent and ensured that they recruited accordingly, to ensure I was able to continue to develop and build a client base and professional contacts in the local area.

Do you feel that J&P offers good career progression ?

Yes, I feel I am proof of this. I qualified in on 1st May 2013, was made an Associate on 1st May 2016 and was then promoted to Partner on 1st May 2018. I am incredibly proud to have achieved this in such a short space of time and I feel this is a testament to J&P’s ability to recognise and nurture success. I feel it is important for a firm to ensure that their staff are aware of the routes for progression and realistic timeframes for this, and I made sure I achieved this as quickly as possible. J&P have definitely recognised the past success of internal promotions and we want to continue this going forward.

What advice would you give to someone who is successful in securing a place on the graduate scheme ?

I would say just ensure you make the most of the experience. You may find, like I did, that it is incredibly hard to get legal work experience without already having experience, so ensure you pay attention and try to get involved in as much as you can, as it could be one simple task that helps you realise the area in which you would like to progress your career. J&P is a thriving firm and there are always opportunities to develop and progress, so try to make a lasting impression that will build the foundations of your career.