Meet The Trainees – Past And Present

I graduated from the University of Sunderland in 2022 with a First-Class Honours degree in Law before going on to complete both a Masters and Postgraduate Degree in Legal Practice. Looking back now, my route into law was probably a little different to most.

Before starting my legal career, I worked in hospitality in hotels across Greece, Sweden and India. Hospitality is such a people focused industry and, although very different to law, it taught me so many skills that I still use every day including communication, patience, resilience and how important it is to make people feel comfortable and listened to. Working in different countries also really helped build my confidence and adaptability, which I think prepared me well for the unpredictability of legal practice!

Before commencing my Training Contract at Wilson Browne Solicitors, I worked as a Paralegal in the Commercial Litigation team. I assisted on a wide variety of disputes including breach of contract claims, professional negligence matters, insolvency issues and commercial property disputes. Starting as a paralegal gave me a great foundation and allowed me to learn from experienced colleagues whilst gradually building confidence in my own abilities.

One thing I always like to mention to aspiring trainees is that my journey was not completely straightforward. I was actually unsuccessful when I first interviewed for a Training Contract at Wilson Browne and, at the time, it was difficult not to feel disheartened. However, looking back now, I genuinely believe setbacks like that are not a reflection of your ability or potential. Sometimes it is about timing, experience or simply finding the right fit.

Rather than giving up, I focused on gaining more experience, building my confidence and learning as much as I could in my role as a Paralegal. Returning later and successfully securing my Training Contract made the achievement feel even more rewarding, and it reinforced the importance of resilience and believing in yourself even when things do not go to plan the first time around.

I am currently completing my second seat of my Training Contract within the Private Client team which has been such a rewarding experience so far. I really enjoy the client facing aspect of the role and being able to support people through important and often emotional stages in their lives. One of the biggest things I have learnt so far is that technical knowledge is only part of being a good solicitor. Empathy, communication and building trust with clients are just as important.

Outside of work, I am also preparing to welcome my first child whilst completing my Training Contract, so it definitely feels like Wilson Browne has been part of quite a few major life moments for me already! From developing my legal career here to now preparing for motherhood, it has certainly been a memorable chapter of my life so far. Thankfully, everyone at the firm has been incredibly supportive throughout, which has made balancing everything feel much less overwhelming, although I may revisit that statement once the sleepless nights begin!

If I could give any advice to future trainees or anyone considering a career in law, it would be not to compare your journey to anybody else’s. Everyone comes into the profession from different backgrounds and experiences, and those experiences really do shape the way you work and connect with people. I would also say not to be afraid of asking questions. You are there to learn, and every seat gives you the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally.

Starting a Training Contract can feel intimidating at first, but it is also incredibly rewarding, and the time genuinely flies by. For me, finding the right firm was incredibly important, which is one of the reasons I hope to qualify and continue my career with Wilson Browne in the future. Having already experienced so many important milestones in both my career and personal life here, the firm genuinely feels like somewhere I have grown both professionally and personally, and I am excited to continue that journey.

I am currently working towards qualification under the SQE pathway while working in the Private Client team. My work involves assisting in estate and trust administration, and preparing Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. My experience as a Paralegal at Wilson Browne allowed me to really get to know the firm, and gave me an understanding of the practicalities of working in Private Client. Both of these elements were crucial in obtaining my Training Contract in 2025.

Before starting my legal career, I worked at an international artist management agency for opera singers. While the substance of the work could not be more different, there were many transferrable skills that I was able to carry over to my current role including organisation, communication, and client care. I believe that any experience can be transferrable, and non-law graduates should never discount work experience on the basis it is not in the legal sector. After completing a postgraduate Law conversion course in 2020, I subsequently obtained a paralegal role at a firm in London. While I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the work, I wanted a firm that would invest in my professional development and offer more of a work life balance. Wilson Browne offers a really strong support network, which I have really appreciated while working full-time and studying, and has given me the confidence to grow in my role.

I am completing my training contract as an SQE trainee in the Court of Protection and Care Funding team, where I support clients, families and professionals with matters involving mental capacity and property and financial affairs. My work spans deputyship management, best‑interest decision making and navigating the complexities of care funding frameworks.

I studied my law degree at the University of Northampton, graduating in 2022. I then went on to study a Masters in Law and Social Justice at University College London. During this time, I worked full time across both the hospitality and care sectors.

Before beginning my training contract, I worked as a Legal and Finance Assistant and later as a Paralegal within the same Court of Protection team. These positions provided invaluable insight into deputyship management, best‑interest decision making and the importance of clear, compassionate client support. Being offered a training contract in July 2025, just two months after an initial unsuccessful attempt, was a particularly meaningful milestone and a testament to the persistence and dedication I have invested in this career since school.

My background in care and hospitality continues to shape my approach to legal practice. It enables me to bring patience, emotional intelligence and a client‑centred perspective to every matter I work on. I bring this perspective into my work every day, ensuring that clients feel heard, respected and supported throughout their engagement with our team.

I look forward to my continued development with Wilson Browne as I continue my Training Contract and am committed developing as a professional that combines technical expertise with a client centred approach focusing on clarity, diligence and compassion.

My name is Vanshika and I am currently completing the second seat of my training contract in Commercial Litigation.

When I first chose to study law at university it was mostly because it seemed to be a sensible choice although the thought of actually becoming a lawyer seemed quite daunting to my 17-year-old self.

Soon after commencing my LLB in 2020, I quickly changed my perspective.

I became fascinated by each distinct area of law I came across, along with the endless legal questions and cases that came with them. By the time I finished my degree in 2023 I had developed a newfound passion for the law and a certainty that this is a career I wanted to explore further.

After going on to complete the LLM LPC in 2024 I soon started working as a Family Paralegal at a local firm in Leicester. In this job, I assisted a solicitor who represented parents in Care Proceedings. This role introduced me to the practical realities of working within law and I quickly learnt that my academic knowledge could not prepare me for the day-to-day challenges of being a paralegal.

It was an uphill battle to get up to speed with all my new responsibilities, and I often questioned whether I would ever be good enough to be a solicitor. I now know that just having the confidence to keep going even when I didn’t feel up to it, was enough.

After making what felt like a million mistakes, and with the constant support of my colleagues, from solicitors to secretariates, I developed a variety of skills and even began running some of my own cases.

In 2025 I came across Wilson Browne’s website showing that they were recruiting for trainee solicitors. After applying I was soon invited for an interview with Kevin and Tom. I left the interview feeling positive about the conversation we had however knew that my prospects were likely slim given that I had not worked for the firm before. You can imagine my surprise therefore when I received my golden ticket confirming an offer of a training contract.  I was amazed by the faith they had put in me as an external recruit and now know that this level of faith in their trainees carries through during the training.

My first seat in Commercial Property began in November of 2025. As you would expect I came in eager to learn a completely new part of the law, however this was paired with a quiet apprehension about how I would fit into a new firm, a new team and a new role all at once. Nevertheless, the team welcomed me with open arms and with their constant support I was able to work alongside Tom on various cases including leases, sales and purchases for a variety of clients including businesses and individuals.

Now in my second seat, Commercial Litigation, I continue to expand my commercial capabilities whilst also learning to keep up with the fast-paced world of litigation. This fast pace, though a challenge, has meant that I am constantly learning new things at a rate I didn’t think I could. It has been great to touch upon so many different types of law in just one seat and I remain excited about what is to come.

My biggest piece of advice to anyone who is looking to train as a solicitor would be to make the most of every day, especially if you are a rotational trainee, since the time goes by quicker than you will realise. It is also essential to trust your instincts when in doubt and always remember that you could not have gotten this far without them!

My name is Molly, and I am currently in the third seat of my training contract at Wilson Browne. I am due to qualify in May 2027.

I graduated from the University of Leicester in 2022 with a first class LLB Law degree. When I left university, I knew I wanted to get some legal experience under my belt. Subsequently, I applied for a paralegal role in the Private Client team at Wilson Browne and started in my new position in November 2022.

After a year gaining exposure to what a career in the legal sector might look like, I was confident that I wanted to pursue a career as a solicitor and decided to take the next step by enrolling on the LPC LLM in September 2023. I studied the LPC part time alongside working as a paralegal and, in the summer of 2025, I graduated with a Distinction in the LPC LLM. Although studying whilst working full time was challenging, receiving a Golden Ticket and securing a training contract with Wilson Browne during this time gave me the push I needed to keep going, knowing I had the full support of my colleagues and the firm.

On reflection, my role as a paralegal was excellent preparation for life as a trainee at Wilson Browne and I would encourage every aspiring solicitor to consider starting their journey with a paralegal role. As a paralegal I worked my way up to managing my own case load and seeing clients for Will and LPA appointments. I was also regularly the first point of contact for families dealing with the loss of a loved one, meeting with the family to discuss the practical and legal implications that follow a death and supporting them throughout the administration of their family member’s Estate. Throughout my two and a half years as a private client paralegal I developed many transferable skills, the most important of those being the soft skills that separate the good lawyers from the exceptional ones. The ability to make your clients feel comfortable, build trust and empathise with them are some of the most valuable skills you can learn in the early stages of a legal career.

My training contract started in May 2025, and I stayed in the Private Client team for my first seat. During this time, I had the opportunity to work on some more complex matters, which challenged me further and aided my growth and development. My second seat took me to Commercial Litigation, which provided me with an opportunity to dip my toe into contentious work. This area was out of my comfort zone and, if truth be told, the only seat I did not want to do. My training contract so far has taught me to keep an open mind, and to throw myself into every opportunity that comes my way. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the commercial litigation team, much to my surprise! I am now in my third seat in the commercial property team. I am enjoying the technical side of this area. It is early days, but I am looking forward to the remainder of this seat and I am excited to see what the future holds.

My name is Lisa and I am currently a Trainee Solicitor in the Residential Conveyancing team at Wilson Browne Solicitors.

My journey into Law started early, I studied Law at A-level before going on to complete my LLB Law and Criminology degree at the University of Birmingham. After University, I embarked on my first legal role as a paralegal in a criminal defence firm.

Whilst working in criminal defence, I completed my Police Station Accreditation through Cardiff University. This gave me some useful insight into studying alongside a full-time role and I learnt some skills that I have been able to translate into my current study as a Trainee.  This whole experience taught me some valuable lessons, however, despite believing that a career in criminal law was where I’d end up, I came to realise that it wasn’t where I was meant to be.

Changing direction can feel daunting, particularly when you have invested so much time and energy into a particular career path but looking back, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

It was at this point that I joined Wilson Browne as a Paralegal in the Residential Conveyancing team in Northampton. Having grown up in Northampton, I was already aware of Wilson Browne and their glowing reputation and so applying for the role was a no-brainer. Joining Wilson Browne, I quickly discovered how much more I enjoyed my role within Residential Conveyancing.  I have since been fortunate enough to be awarded a training contract with the firm and be able to continue my development within the Northampton conveyancing team.

Unlike many trainees, I am not completing seats in different departments. Having already experienced another area of law before moving into conveyancing, I am happy that I am where I want to be and decided to apply for a training contract which allowed me to continue progressing and developing my knowledge in an area that I genuinely enjoy.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned so far is that you do not need to master everything all at once. As a trainee, there is always something new to learn and I certainly continue to learn every day. Over time, I have realised the importance of taking things step by step and being patient with yourself. Focusing on building knowledge gradually allows me to be thorough and clear on my understanding. I am incredibly fortunate to work with a supportive team who are committed to helping me learn through hands on experience and that support has been invaluable throughout my time at Wilson Browne. It can be hard to feel confident as a new trainee and this is certainly something I still find myself lacking at times, however, having the support and knowledge of a fantastic team behind you can make all the difference.

Both in my role and my life outside of work, I enjoy challenging myself and stepping outside of my comfort zone. After university, rather than going straight into my legal career, I spent nine months travelling around Southeast Asia and Australia. In the legal profession, it can sometimes feel as though there is pressure to move straight from education into practice and progress as quickly as possible. However, I knew law would always be there for me when I returned. I am incredibly grateful that I took the opportunity to travel and see the world. Whilst in Thailand, I volunteered at a primary school teaching English to students. Experiences like this helped me with my communication and problem-solving skills and allowed me to make some very valuable memories. My time spent travelling remains one of my proudest achievements and taught me a great deal about adaptability and confidence.

My advice to any aspiring trainees would be to talk to the people around you. Whether that is your team, fellow trainees or colleagues from departments you may not usually cross paths with, there is a huge amount of knowledge and support available from those around you. I have learnt that people are often happy to share their experiences, whether that relates directly to training contracts or simply finding ways to stay motivated. Wilson Browne has highlighted to me what it is like to work for a firm where everyone is so encouraging and excited to watch you grow. Being a Trainee, it is important to find a firm where you feel valuable and supported and I have found that in Wilson Browne.

Everyone’s career path looks different and that’s okay. Sometimes the route you thought you would take turns out not to be the right one, but that only opens the door to bigger and better things! Trust yourself and embrace new opportunities and this will likely lead you to exactly where you are meant to be.

 

I graduated from the University of Nottingham with an LLB Law degree before achieving a Distinction in the LLM LPC at Nottingham Law School. I joined Wilson Browne as a Paralegal in the Residential Conveyancing team and secured a training contract two years later.

Beginning my training in the same team gave me a strong foundation, allowing me to expand my knowledge, take on more complex work and develop key legal and client-care skills. As I progressed through different seats, I gained valuable experience across a range of practice areas, including attending court, carrying out legal research and drafting legal documents.

One of the highlights of my training was the support and encouragement I received from colleagues across the firm. The collaborative culture and wealth of expertise at Wilson Browne made the journey to qualification both rewarding and enjoyable.

Looking back, my training contract provided an excellent platform for my career, helping me develop the confidence, skills and experience needed to qualify as a solicitor and take the next step in my professional journey.

 

I began my training contract with Wilson Browne in May 2022 after being a Paralegal in the Conveyancing team for a year and a half. I am now in my final seat in Private Client, and I am due to qualify in May 2024.

I completed my LLB law degree at Nottingham Trent University, where I graduated with a First Class Honours Degree. During my third year at university I undertook placement year, which helped me to gain invaluable insight and knowledge in to the legal world and helped set me on my career path in law. I then continued to study the LPC and graduated with a distinction from Nottingham Trent University.

My first few years and trainee seat in Wilson Browne, was in the Conveyancing team, which taught me a great deal of transferable skills, which I have carried with me throughout my career so far. I then moved on to my second seat in Private Client, where I dealt with complex Wills, Estates and Trusts and I was able to attend a lot of client meetings. I instantly fell in love with this area of law.

My third seat was in the clinical negligence team, which was a great experience and insight into the world of litigation and I was able to manage my own caseload, which allowed me to see an array of case types and different stages of negligence file.

 

I completed my LLB Law degree at De Montfort University in 2021, graduating with First Class Honours, before going on to complete the Legal Practice Course. During my studies, I developed a particular interest in litigation and recognised the importance of gaining practical experience alongside my academic qualifications.

Having grown up locally and familiar with the Wilson Browne name, I applied for a part-time paralegal role in the Commercial Litigation team and joined the firm in January 2022. Balancing work and study was challenging but incredibly rewarding, providing valuable hands-on experience and helping me develop essential legal and client-care skills.

As a paralegal, I gained early responsibility for my own caseload, worked on a variety of complex matters, and learned from experienced solicitors and partners. The trust placed in me allowed me to build confidence, develop strong client relationships and gain exposure to a wide range of litigation work.

In February 2023, I was delighted to be offered a training contract, which began in November 2023. I remained in Commercial Litigation for my first seat, where I have continued to work on increasingly complex and high-value matters while learning from senior colleagues.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of self-belief. Imposter syndrome affects many aspiring lawyers, but it’s important to remember that you have earned your place. Be willing to learn, ask questions and embrace new opportunities. You are not expected to know everything from day one.

 

I joined Wilson Browne’s New Enquiries team after successfully applying for a local vacancy, and what began as a job quickly became the start of my legal career. Within a few months, I realised I enjoyed the responsibility, routine and independence that working life offered and decided not to return to full-time education.

With the support of my manager, I was given the opportunity to train as a CILEx Lawyer, despite not being a fee earner or paralegal at the time. After two years, I moved into a Trainee Legal Executive role in the Private Client team and began working towards qualification.

I started my CILEx studies in 2016 and qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in July 2023. Along the way I balanced studying with an increasingly demanding role, managing my own caseload and navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a long journey, with moments of self-doubt and burnout, but ultimately a rewarding one.

My biggest lesson is that there is no single route into law. I had always expected to go to university, but a different path proved to be the right one for me. Gaining practical experience, building relationships, working hard and seeking support when needed were all key to my success.

For anyone considering the CILEx route, my advice is simple: stay committed, find a study routine that works for you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. It takes dedication, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

I began my training contract with Wilson Browne in May 2023 after a couple of years as a Paralegal in the childcare team.  I completed my LLB Law and Criminal Justice degree at DMU University in Leicester. I graduated with First Class Honours in 2018 and went on to complete the LPC in 2019. I then spent some time as a trainee conveyancer before making the move to family law in 2020.

Starting a new role in the middle of a pandemic wasn’t without its challenges. The whole world was having to adapt, including lawyers. Hearings were being conducted online and we were no longer seeing clients.

However, I learned so many skills within my first couple of months which I will use throughout my career (perhaps more than I would have if we hadn’t been in a pandemic!). That being said, I’m glad things are slowly getting back to normal.

I moved to Wilson Browne in October 2021 and applied for a training contract in January 2022. From the moment I started, I felt like I was part of a community. I could see how important career progression and well-being was to the firm and instantly knew I would love to complete my training here. I felt supported from the moment I stepped through the door.

I completed my first seat in the childcare team, a team I had been with for nearly 2 years prior. I was already managing my own caseload of low-level files but in the very first week of my training contract, I was given a care case to run.This meant I was in charge of the whole file, including hearings. I think having my first seat with childcare made the first 6 months of my training contract so much easier, I was able to take on so much responsibility.

I have also been able to use many skills I have already developed on the way. I have a real passion for helping those most vulnerable, especially at such difficult times in their lives so I am very grateful to be able to spend some time here.

 

I studied my Law degree at the University of Lincoln, graduating in 2019 and completed my LPC while working at Wilson Browne as a Paralegal, over 2 years from 2021 to 2023. Studying part time and working full time, was a challenge but taught me so much about time management and working under pressure.

Working as a Paralegal for 18 months before completing the LPC taught me a lot of relevant skills that assisted me when studying. It helped my confidence and meant I was able to grow as a lawyer while taking the next step towards qualifying.

I was offered a Training Contract in March 2021 to start in November 2023. A complete dream and showed me the confidence and faith Wilson Browne had in me, at such an early stage in my career. Throughout my entire time at Wilson Browne, I have never doubted the faith they have had in me, at all levels. I have felt respected as a lawyer by all my fellow colleagues, regardless of their experience or job title.

My first seat was in the Court of Protection team, I had worked in the team for just over 3 years before becoming a Trainee Solicitor and was given a high level of responsibility and my own case load to manage during my time here. I got to spend a lot of time with clients, and it was a very personal area of law where you really get to know your client. It is also very rewarding as you really get to help those that need it most every day.

My second seat is in Commercial Litigation, I have been here for nearly 3 months now and it is a complete contrast to the Court of Protection team. Now, most of my clients are commercial clients and I spend a lot more of my time researching and drafting. The work can be fast paced but it is important to remember to take it one step at a time. I get to work very closely with Partners within the Litigation team and learn directly from them. In just 3 months, I have been able to develop my legal analysis skills and understand the importance of having your own voice.

I completed my LLB Law Degree in 2020. In 2018-2019, during my third year at university, I decided to undertake a placement year to gain some invaluable legal knowledge which I knew would help greatly with my future career. Whilst all of my university friends were asking me “Why would you not just want to finish uni next year?” and “I couldn’t think of anything worse than getting a full-time job and postponing final year”, I knew that gaining as much legal experience as possible would be beneficial in every way and far outweighed simply wanting to finish my degree as soon as possible (with probably no job to walk in to).

I applied for a Paralegal role at Wilson Browne Solicitors for my sandwich year and was lucky enough to secure a role in one of the teams. I gained such a variety of skills, even the simplest things (such as drafting letters and communication) were tricky at first and these skills helped me immensely during my final year of university and beyond. I was exposed to such a wide variety of challenges during this role including attending the Royal Courts of Justice, Parliament and Round Table Meetings. To this day, the best thing I ever did was undertaking a placement year.

After finishing university in 2020, I went straight on to complete my LLM LPC full-time whilst working part-time. This was a very challenging time (not helped by having to do it all from home during the Pandemic) yet somehow managed to stay motivated and remained focus on the end goal as I knew the hard work would eventually pay off. After I completed the LLM LPC in the summer of 2021, I noticed that there were vacancies again at Wilson Browne. Having re-applied to Wilson Browne, I was then offered a paralegal role within the well-recognised (by the Legal 500) Commercial Litigation team shortly after. I worked closely and alongside the Head of Team and Partner of the firm and was afforded a high level of responsibility from the beginning. I was exposed to such a variety of cases, skills and knowledge every day which I will never forget.

I was offered a training contract in January 2022, to start in November 2022 just a few months later and it really was such an amazing day, which was of course followed by celebrations at the weekend. I truly felt that my hard work had been recognised and felt like a very valuable member of the team and had been rewarded for that.

During my time at Wilson Browne, I have been provided with a solid foundation of the law and a variety of skills, in a variety of areas which I truly believe will make me the best solicitor that I can be in the future. This has also helped me to tick every box on which area of law to go into, whether that be contentious or non-contentious or private or commercial which is typically the hardest thing for every trainee to decide!

Everyone who I work with has been very approachable and the partners very much operate an open-door policy. Time really does fly by and it won’t be long before qualification. The exposure has meant that I am very well-equipped for this and cannot wait for that day to come, although every day is still a school day and there is so much still to learn! I cannot wait for my journey to continue and I have loved every part of it!

It was fairly daunting to start in a new team and new office but everyone around me made the transition so positive and comfortable for me. I was lucky enough to have a week’s handover with the trainee already in the team which was really helpful. I have found the other trainees’ advice extremely invaluable since starting my training contract and I think it’s great to be able to learn from each other’s experiences. It’s also a great motivation to be able to watch as other trainee’s qualify into teams within the firm!

Law has always been of interest to me although when I started out on my legal journey I did not necessarily know at that point I wanted to be a solicitor. As a student going to university for the first time, the legal sector can be a minefield. It wasn’t until I was at university learning about the different areas of law and opportunities within those areas that I decided I wanted to become a solicitor.

For anyone not within the legal world, becoming a solicitor can appear to involve going to university, working hard and getting a job. That is however only part of the journey. Becoming a solicitor involves an undergraduate degree, a post graduate degree and a two year training contract all amongst trying to obtain valuable work experience within a competitive field. The journey to becoming a solicitor can at times seem unachievable but it’s important to take things one step at a time and always have the end goal in sight.

During my journey I found it important to keep reflecting on what I had already achieved and overcome rather than focusing on what I had not yet achieved. It can become easy to feel like you are stuck without acknowledging all the hard work and effort you have put in to be where you are currently. It’s important to remember that no two people’s journeys are the same and as long as you know where you want to end up, you will get there in the end!