When deciding where to work, train (and hopefully qualify), I was searching for a firm where I would look forward to going to work every day, not just because I was excited about the work itself, but also because of the people I would be working with. After working as a paralegal in the firm’s family team, I learned that KN was just that. The firm’s people and sense of community solidified my ambition to train here. The number of people who have worked here for most of their careers, including partners who have trained here, is testament to the firm’s culture.
Working somewhere that takes active steps to be inclusive is important to me. Being a member of the firm’s D&I group, I have seen first-hand how seriously the firm takes its commitment to creating a place where diversity of thought, background and culture is not just encouraged, but expected.
Trainees get ‘stuck-in’ to the work from day one – and my experience hasn’t been any different. This responsibility isn’t without the accompanying support – each trainee has weekly check-ins with a trainee supervisor in the department we are in (usually a senior associate or a partner), and two check-ins per seat with a HR representative and the trainee principal. We have a lovely trainee cohort who are helpful sources of information and tips, which helps in easing into a new team.
My first two seats were in the Regulatory and Immigration teams and my current seat is in Dispute Resolution. So far, I have enjoyed working on a wide variety of interesting work, ranging from investigating and preparing fitness to practice cases for Teachers (on behalf of our client the Teaching Regulation Agency), assisting on a complex internal investigation into a corporate entity with the criminal team, preparing a global talent immigration application for a high-profile screenwriter looking to relocate from the US to the UK, accompanying a client on an asylum screening interview at the Home Office and assisting a partner on supervising a search order.
Pro-bono is very much a part of the firm’s DNA, and trainees are encouraged to get involved. I have had the opportunity to volunteer with the Amicus and QMLAC projects, which you can read about here.
My top two tips for anyone looking to pursue a career in law would be:
(1) Keep an open mind as your potential area/field as practice is often different to the academic side.
(2) Believe in your ability – Law can be a competitive area, and it can be easy to compare yourself to your peers and be self-critical. Everyone has different strengths, and it is important to believe in your own unique skillset.
We welcome views and opinions about the issues raised in this blog. Should you require specific advice in relation to personal circumstances, please use the form on the contact page.
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