Rachel Munro

Law graduates will soon start their two-year traineeships with firms in Scotland. Looking back to 2017 and the beginning of my own traineeship, I know every day will give these new trainees different challenges and opportunities. Hopefully, like my own experience, it will also be a time to learn from highly experienced and supportive legal colleagues.

My journey of graduating from the University of Glasgow law school to my current role has been one that has taught me many invaluable lessons. If you are an aspiring young graduate still struggling to gain a foothold on the traineeship ladder, a trainee or a newly qualified lawyer now preparing for your next step, I hope you find the following insights helpful.

I remember sitting in a university classroom with over 150 other students all vying for the same thing – a job! Even at that stage, many of my counterparts had already secured a coveted traineeship. I was repeatedly unsuccessful after completing countless application forms and wondered what my fellow students had said or done to ‘seal the deal’ with a law firm.

It would take me almost three years and 13 attempts to finally secure my own traineeship. It was an emotionally draining journey; one that increasingly undermined my self-confidence and led to some tough conversations with my parents. I’d grown up dreaming of following in my great-great-grandfather’s footsteps, playing football for Scotland. Having reset my ambitions to law, I desperately wanted to kick start my career.

It was my decision to undertake a voluntary role at Govan Law Centre in Glasgow that was the catalyst for positive change. I remain eternally grateful for the knowledge and advice my colleagues in Govan imparted to me which did wonders for my self-confidence. I also worked alongside another lawyer who proudly embraced being a gay female in the profession. A fantastic lawyer, I was very impressed by her approach.

I left Govan knowing why my traineeship applications were unsuccessful. I wasn’t being myself. I realised that you can’t convince a prospective employer on your strengths and character attributes when you’re sitting in an interview pretending to be someone you’re not.

It was a key lesson I took with me to (successful) traineeship interview number 13.

Today, I feel very fortunate that being empowered to ‘be ourselves’ is a core part of the culture at Shoosmiths. I’ve thrived in this environment, learning and working with fantastic colleagues and with a blue-chip client base that includes Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon and Sigma Capital.

It’s a measure of how positively I’ve been impacted by my work environment that in just seven years I’m now rigorously applying my legal skills across a raft of stimulating residential development briefs. I also feel humbled to be shortlisted for two prestigious legal awards.

Regardless of the outcome on awards night, there are key snippets of advice that are pertinent to every aspiring young lawyer.

If you are at university and struggling to find a traineeship, don’t overlook opportunities to volunteer for a small charity or law centre. It’s an environment in which you will learn important legal skills and discover more about your own character. Both factors will serve you well at interviews.

In addition, remember that the legal world is very small. Ensure you put the same level of effort into every interaction. My tutor in the diploma year turned out to be my colleague at the firm where I completed my traineeship.

Attitude can be as important as aptitude. Learn to say yes at every opportunity. Accept invitations to networking events, volunteer to write articles and offer to help with even the most tedious tasks. It can be difficult to showcase your talents to more senior colleagues. If you are offered the chance to take on a task, prove you are keen and make that project your moment to impress.

Equally, get in the habit of asking questions. Take every opportunity to delve into the detail of a brief and show colleagues you’re capable of thinking about an issue in a different way. Legal firms don’t employ robots and at Shoosmiths we are actively encouraged to share our ideas.

Finally, to secure that traineeship and to progress your career, make being yourself the number one rule. I feel incredibly privileged to come into work knowing that as a gay female lawyer, I may be instrumental one day in helping a junior colleague feel safe enough to embrace who they are. Be yourself and you will shine.

Rachel Munro is a senior associate at Shoosmiths