During the first few months at the firm I picked up fundamental skills which enabled me to navigate the firm’s case management system and furthered my knowledge on Wills and Powers of Attorney. I feel very fortunate that my colleagues were all extremely patient and helpful in these early months. This supportive environment helped to build my confidence and I felt that no question was a silly question – although I am quite sure some of them definitely were.

For the last year I have been working under Debbie and she has been extremely supportive and has allowed me to experience practical, hands on work. I have had exposure to clients with complex inheritance tax issues, I have set up various Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations, dealt with Guardianship applications and had experience in farming matters. I have also been responsible for various executry files and have been involved in initial meetings, contacting institutions where a deceased individual held assets, liaising with clients, ingathering funds and winding up an estate.

TMC has invested lots of time and resources into my training and development to ensure I can be a successful trainee. I have had attended various seminars and training days to coincide with direct hands on experience. This continuing promotion of my learning is really helping to provide me with the key skills and knowledge required to be as successful as I can.

My knowledge of the private client area has increased tenfold in the last year and I have gained an understanding of the importance of client communication. The past year has refined my client communication, ensuring that I am communicating the right message in a way that clients can understand. Whilst this may seem an easy thing to do, it can be challenging at times when dealing with recently bereaved clients. Plenty of practice and guidance is shaping my abilities to effectively communicate and provide a better service.

Each month I attend a business development meeting alongside the other solicitors to discuss business development ideas, what we can do to meet new clients and any upcoming events the firm has planned. Not only have these meetings given me a good insight into how to develop professional relationships but taught me that business development can happen anywhere.

It has been rewarding working alongside the charity group to help raise funds for Ayrshire Baby Loss this past year and helping to arrange fundraising events.

I am really looking forward to the remaining 12 months of my training contract and the raft of new challenges the months ahead will bring. Whilst not every day has been easy, each day has been a learning experience which has provided me with more knowledge and confidence in problem solving. Every day really is a school day at TMC!



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