Okay… I think that may have been the quickest two years of my life! I am officially a newly qualified solicitor and extremely excited to be continuing on as a newly qualified Solicitor with The McKinstry Company. I can’t quite believe how much I have learned and all the new experiences I have had along with challenges I faced. Since my last blog post, my life at The McKinstry Company has changed with a move to the Ayr office which happened in March 2023. The office move was nerve wracking but exciting with an abundance of exposure to new executry issues and other matters to wrap my head around.

I have had continuous training throughout my traineeship from seminars, courses and one to one training with Thiona and Debbie. This, coupled with managing and leading my own files and having direct hands-on experience has promoted my development and boosted my confidence. Thiona and Debbie have always been supportive and encouraging even when there were files I struggled to get my head around.  

Over the course of the last two years, I have been involved in an array of different work. Setting up Personal Injury and Discretionary trusts, setting up Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations, and dealing with the registration of Trusts through HMRC’s Trust Registration Service. I have also had experience of working on executries where the deceased is domiciled abroad and have had to get opinions on their Will. I have been responsible for running my own files, from meeting with clients at the outset to take their instructions and thereafter progressing and finalising matters.

I have continued my own personal business development since my last update and am planning some exciting upcoming events. The partners have supported me in thinking outside the box whilst also working with our other solicitors.

During my traineeship I have made strong connections with both clients and colleagues. The firm encourages socialising, making sure the social life at The McKinstry Company is great! We have had various staff events to socialise and let off steam after all our hard work. This is a great time for the staff to bond out of the office.

It’s amazing to look back at when I first started and see just how much I have developed with the knowledge I have gained. Completing my traineeship at The McKinstry Company has shaped me into a confident, competent, compassionate, and resilient solicitor.

On a final note, I would just like to say a massive thank you to Robert, Thiona and Debbie and all my colleagues at The McKinstry Company for all their support and encouragement over the last two years which has helped me grow into the solicitor I am today. I could not think of anywhere else I would rather start my qualified career and I feel very well prepared for taking this next step.

Cheers to the future!