Trainee Solicitor, Daisy Burns, talks about her first year of training at Furley Page

What made you decide Furley Page was the best place to pursue your training?

I knew I wanted to work regionally, as I had worked in London in the past and decided it wasn’t for me. I had also been advised that the quality of training at regional firms is more ‘hands-on’ and diverse, with lots of client contact, which appealed to me.

Completing the vacation scheme at the firm affirmed that Furley Page offered the high-quality work and training I was looking for. Ultimately, I chose Furley Page specifically because of its strong reputation in Kent and ‘Goldilocks’ size – not too big and not too small, offering plenty of opportunity for growth.

What has been your overriding impression so far of the training programme at Furley Page?

There’s a genuine vested interest in your training, and you very much get out what you put in. Teams here are often busy, but if you’re ever feeling like you’re not getting as much out of your training as you would hope to, all you have to do is ask and your supervisors will always be accommodating. You also get a huge amount of hands-on client facing experience, which is great.

What has been your best experience during your training programme?

During my seat in residential property (where there is less in-person client contact) I had helped out an existing client on a leasehold matter. Months later I came into work and there was a bottle of Chapeldown sparkling wine and a handwritten thank you card on my desk from the client!

Another highlight was receiving very positive client feedback on my first ever sale. I’ve had some great experiences generally at the firm, but I’d say moments of appreciation like these from clients mean so much for your confidence, especially in a seat where face-to-face client contact is limited.

What skills do you think are essential to be a successful lawyer?

I think the key skills needed are resilience, problem-solving, and communication. Legal work can undoubtedly be stressful at times, and there will always be more to learn. Mistakes happen and you need to be resilient and able to adapt when dealing with these situations. This can help you learn from your mistakes and build your confidence.

Communicating well with both clients and colleagues can be key to strengthening your wider skills and is hugely important in facilitating growth in your legal career.

What advice would you give anybody looking to train as a solicitor?

Get as much experience at a variety of firms as possible! This will increase your chances of securing a Training Contract/SQE placement, and more importantly, help you find the firm that is the right fit for you.

Finding experience can be super hard, so make sure you utilise all the tools you have available – engage with careers services, utilise mentor programmes, and reach out to people on Linkedin!

Find out more about becoming a Trainee Solicitor with Furley Page >>