Ask the solicitor: Zoha shares her learnings as a trainee in the corporate team
Describe your current position within MH
I am a final seat trainee solicitor in the corporate team, working across venture capital, private equity, and M&A transactions. I am due to qualify in September 2023 into the corporate team.
What do you like most about your role?
I enjoy the fast pace of transactional work - I must be efficient, and this means I can refine my skills and develop the ability to produce excellent work on time and meet my deadlines. I also love the clients we have; I’m lucky to have the opportunity to work with some really interesting and unique companies that are leading innovators in their industry which I otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to come across.
What skills do you need to be a successful lawyer?
One of the most important skills you need to become successful in law, particularly if you’re working on the transactional side, is commercial awareness. This means understanding current national and international business events and how they may relate to clients. Particular clients will appreciate the ability to anticipate and advise on how current and projected market trends may affect your firm and clients.
I have improved my own commercial awareness by attending commercial and business-related seminars and events, which also give you the opportunity to network with business professionals (it’s always good to start building your network from an early stage). I also listen to the news and business-centred podcasts and shows, as well as reading papers such as the Financial Times or the business segments of daily newspapers to stay on top of industry updates and trends.
Whilst commercial awareness is a vital skill, so is the ability to work well under pressure, meet deadlines, and work both independently and within a team.
Do you still need a law degree and the LPC to be a solicitor?
As a result of recent changes to the legal industry, it is no longer necessary to obtain a law degree and LPC, followed by a training contract, to become a fully qualified solicitor in England and Wales. Recent changes introduced a ‘new route’ into law to make the legal industry more accessible. These changes mean that you can now become fully qualified if you have completed any degree, the SQE, and a two-year period of work-based training. The legal industry is constantly evolving so it’s important to keep an eye out for any changes here.
