Work Experience Blog by Oskar Emanuele:

I will be looking back on my work experience here at GoodyBurrett fondly. Having been given such a wide birth of tasks. I felt it beneficial to reflect, and hopefully inspire others to apply for work experience here.

After trying to wrestle a locked door open (in my defence, I wasn’t aware it was locked), Sydney came to my aid and took me round to the staff entrance, where I was shown in and given a tour of the building. Everyone there was very friendly and made me feel welcome. This was important to me as I believe, that the people you work with can greatly impact how much you enjoy a job. So I immediately knew I was going to enjoy the 2 weeks that lay ahead.

One very strong reason that GoodyBurrett is a great name to have on your CV is the amount of exposure one gets to legal practise from working here. In all my time here, only one ‘intern job’ was asked of me; a trip to Marks & Spencer was needed after an unexplainable phenomenon, left the firm with no tea-bags. Apart from that it was nothing but exposure to the legal-side of the business. I was given the opportunity to:

• Research Statues – regarding whether or not a client could reduce the base rent of a property they were looking at buying
• Draft a schedule of Assets for a client, going through a divorce
• Sit in on meetings in areas of Family, Civil Litigation, Probate
• Reception Work
• Draft the Position Statement for a Mediation
• Write blogs
• Close cases
• Write up Attendance Notes of meetings

All in all, I am very glad to have applied/ been given the offer, to undertake work placement here at GoodyBurrett. The office exposure has been invaluable, as employers know that everyone applying to law firms, know the theory behind the law. However, having real world experience, is something that can’t be taught in a textbook, and is very much sought after.

If you are looking to bolster your CV and are looking for a work placement in a successful, and welcoming high-street law firm, then do not hesitate to contact GoodyBurrett. To apply, email them with a covering letter and your CV. The deadline for Summer work experience is the end of February, every year.

Best of luck!

Oskar Emanuele

Being offered a place on GoodyBurrett’s summer placement scheme was a pleasant surprise. After submitting my application on the day of the deadline I truly thought I had missed my chance. For someone who is normally so prepared, I had convinced myself that I had left it too late and would make an instant bad impression. However, after several months passed, I received an email asking me to attend an interview later on in the week. The interview was extremely relaxed, which reassured me and made me realise that the employees of the firm were right for me.

I was given the opportunity and responsibility of a variety of tasks during my time at GoodyBurrett:

• Client Meetings:   My 2 weeks placement went by so rapidly as the Family Department ensured I was busy. I attended client meetings, which is not something I necessarily expected. Attending meetings concerning on-going cases was a real eye opener for me. It was fascinating seeing how knowledgeable Sue Devereaux was and how she managed to tailor her advice for each client and ensure that it was explained in a manner they could comprehend. If I could be half as good as her when I (hopefully) qualify, I would be extremely proud.
• Attendance Notes: I initially (and perhaps naively) thought that I was just sitting in on the client meeting to simply witness what it was like; however, I was asked to draft Attendance Notes. This at first was extremely daunting, as this would be sent to the client. However, Sue provided me with guidance and an example of an Attendance Note she had recently completed. This enabled me to base my work on hers with alterations made before sending it out. Such a task was extremely useful, as it demonstrated that I did indeed take sufficient notes and was then able to formulate an Attendance Note, but it also aided me in refining my legal explanations.
• Chronologies:   A task I perhaps enjoyed the most was formulating chronologies. Having to look through case files and extract the relevant informati  on for a timeline was a lengthy process, but I really enjoyed learning about the case in detail and seeing how the process works.
• Registration of land:   I was also trusted with completing official electronic documents which was new for me. However, I was aided by the lovely secretaries with whom I was sitting with for the day. Their help (and knowing that they could help me) really reassured me.
• Schedule of Assets:   I was given the task of rummaging through case files to establish the extent of assets both parties had. This is an important element of financial proceedings and requires attention to detail. This was a very lengthy process and rather difficult, especially as there were gaps in the timeline. However, it was still an interesting task to carry out and help was of course available.
• Reception:  During my time here I was entrusted with covering lunch breaks on the reception but also covering a whole day during my first week. I was dreading my whole day on reception but thanks to everybody else’s help when I did not quite know what to do, it went much better than expected. There is much more to just answering a phone, I sometimes had to try and decipher what clients were saying and who they actually needed to talk to.
• Will witness: I was asked to attend a codicil signing at a client’s home and also be a witness to a will in the office. This may seem dull at first, but I wanted to have a wide range of experiences whilst here and GoodyBurrett made sure of that.
• Letters and research:   I  was asked by the litigation team to compose a letter to a troublesome neighbour. I had to undertake research to see what the legality was in regards to the complaints. I initially really struggled with how to formulate my arguments and what tone to undertake. However, I was reassured that I was heading in the right direction and of course cannot get it right first time or even second time round, these things really do take practice.

On busy days, I had to manage several tasks from different departments at once. This was difficult at first as I did not fully know how to attribute importance to each task. I was also worried about performing the tasks ineffectively, and therefore tried to delay them. However, after I had settled in and learnt that everyone is more than happy to help and are just grateful that you have tried your best, the burden was significantly diminished.

I thoroughly enjoyed my two weeks at GoodyBurrett, not only because of immersing myself amongst legal work but also because of the people. What I was mostly afraid of was that the staff would become irritated by my questions and inability to understand tasks that are second nature to them. My worries could not have been more misplaced.

This placement has truly widened my options and given me an insight into how a local law firm operates. If like me you have been committing to retail jobs over the summers rather than relevant experience for your aspired career (due to nerves), apply to GoodyBurrett, the time flies by and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

Nicole Newell

Honoured to be given a two-week work experience placement, I left GoodyBurrettknowing that Law was definitely the career path I wanted to pursue. My ambition to study Law is attributable to many reasons, including the urge to contribute to an ever-changing industry. After my studies I aspire to become a Barrister.

My time at GoodyBurrettconfirmed this decision as it was insightful, educational and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. One thing that stood out for me is the way I was sought out to partake in practical assignments that would contribute to the firm- not just small errands unrelated to the career such as organising an office or making tea for clients- and I was encouraged to throw myself into it all, even tasks that I had no prior knowledge or experience of.

In the two weeks of me being here I was exposed to Property, Family, Civil Litigation and Wills&Probate Law, only some of what is on offer at GoodyBurrett. All the departments were engaging and provided good guidance with any tasks they set me, allowing me to understand my strengths and weaknesses outside academia. Some of the responsibilities I was given included:

Covering at the Reception                     This is the place that clients first enter, where meetings are organised, where payments are taken, where important letters and documents are delivered to and so much more. I quickly learnt that working at the Reception required adept multi-tasking skills. Tasked with communicating to multiple clients and colleagues, this experience helped to build my confidence when interacting with adults. After this experience I must commend Heather and Shelly for their regular work at the Reception.

Attending Office Meetings/Presentations                   On one occasionI was invited to an office presentation where one of the UK’s leading laboratory organisations came in to discuss DNA, drug and alcohol testing for court-directed purposes. As I watched the various technical apparatus and testing demonstrations, I remember being amazed at the capabilities of technological advancements. This presentation was certainly a testament to how the industry of Law is evolving, one of the reasons for my intrigue in Law. On another occasion, I got to experience a seasonal meeting that the firm coordinates.

Attending Client Meetings                   The departments of Family, Civil Litigation and Wills&Probate kindly welcomed me into their workspaces, informing me of the structure of their day-to-day work and inviting me to attend their client meetings which allowed me to experience this first-hand. I can say that no client meeting was even vaguely similar and every case was fascinating. After each meeting, I was instructed to collate the bundle of notes I had taken in order to write up an Initial Attendance Note. This was a new experience for me and similarly I discovered that each department formatted theirs slightly differently. The end result was very rewarding and it alerted me to how people are personally affected by the work of lawyers.

Writing Letters and Articles                    Tasks such as this greatly improved my written communication skills and even my ability to time-manage. Whether it was writing to existing or prospective clients, writing on behalf of companies or at one point writing to younger students, I engaged in every matter all of which drew upon different fields of Law. For this reason I was able to to develop my knowledge in some of the areas of the Law I was not so familiar with. I also subsequently gained a better understanding of how to draft a legal document.  

Conducting Research                    In an industry that is constantly developing, due to the introduction of new laws and policies, it is important to keep up to date. I was allocated multiple research tasks whilst I was here and sometimes I was requested to transform the research I had done into an informative write-up, such as my blog entry regarding First Voluntary Registration. Conducting research was useful to me as I gained some relevant legal knowledge. 

Administrative Duties                    Having an understanding of how an organisation functions was all part of the experience for me. Aside from the academic task I was assigned, it was important for me to attain a realistic feel of a working environment outside school walls and I know I was able to achieve that here. Some of the duties included: sending office notices to colleagues, assisting with the organising of events like ‘Prosecco on the Lawn’ and dealing with documents and letters. This enabled me to have a well-rounded experience of what it is to have a career in Law.

All in all, work experience at GoodyBurrettwas brilliant. Full of a range of responsibilities and new opportunities, this experience has given me a renewed enthusiasm to do the best I can going into my second year of college in order to study my chosen course, Law. I hope to remain in contact with all the friendly staff here. A sincere thank you to everyone that helped to settle me in and trusted me with responsibilities. Thank you!

Work experience is more than worthwhile. If in doubt of your interest, suitability or simply what a career entails then embarking on work experience in the relevant field is informative and chance to develop your vocational and interpersonal skills. Not to mention, having working experience may be what sets you apart from an equally-matched candidate who is applying for the same job as you. A 2017 survey revealed 93% of business leaders want compulsory work experience to be reinstated in schools. Now 2019, it is likely this figure has appreciated so why wait until (or if) this is enforced to find a work placement for yourself? GoodyBurrettis a wonderful, welcoming firm to do so.

Nicole Emeka-Ugwuadu

Work Experience – Sydney Window

Work experience is an important factor in helping graduates like myself achieve the job role they want. In today’s competitive work environment, employers look for graduates that are not only able to show a strong academic background but are also able to demonstrate durable commercial skills. As a recent graduate myself, I know how difficult it can be to have all the perfect qualities that employers are looking for!

Now I have concluded my 2-week work experience placement at Goody Burrett, I thought I would reflect on my time here and hopefully encourage others to experience this lovely and friendly firm! Recently graduating from my 3-year law degree, I have been trying to ensure that over this time I have been enhancing my CV as much as I can. With a desire to work in high street law, and growing up in Colchester, I have always targeted local firms. Goody Burrett was the perfect place to go.

At the start of my two weeks here, I was welcomed warmly by paralegal Bee, who quickly made me feel comfortable. Once shown around the office, I swiftly realised that everyone was smiley and welcoming. Over my two weeks here I was able to be involved in many opportunities that I had not experienced at other firms. Some of the duties I experienced were:

• Sitting in on client meetings: In the family and litigation department, I was invited to sit in on client meetings and take notes. With a strong interest in becoming a family lawyer, I enjoyed experiencing these meetings first-hand and was encouraged by Chloe and Sue to be involved with discussions. After meetings, I was trusted to use my notes and write up the attendance note to be sent to the client. I loved this responsibility and felt it gave me a true insight into the life of a solicitor.
• Writing client letters: During my time here, I was working alongside fee earners in family, conveyancing, litigation and wills and probate. I was asked to draft letters to clients on several matters, whether it was chasing a client or letting them know that their file was being closed. I was helped with formatting and wording, due to this my letter writing skills were enhanced.
• Attending out of office meetings: On one occasion, trainee solicitor Jess took me out of the office to attend a meeting at a care home. This was such a good experience as I was able to be involved with the meeting, taking notes and liaising with the client. This was practical experience for me and provided me with such an insight into wills and probate.
• Reception Work: During my time here, I was asked to sit at reception to cover lunch breaks. I was familiarised with the phones, taking messages and taking payments. This also gave me an insight into all the people working at Goody Burrett and what they do.
• Registration of Land: Another task I was asked to do was to complete a first registration of land. This was an area of law I had not delved much into, but I really enjoyed learning. I was able to see some old conveyances and mortgages, that were extremely interesting to read (I was shocked to discover that houses used to sell for only £200! That would be nice!) I was then trusted to create a deeds pack and sort the file accordingly.

Altogether, my time at Goody Burrett was jam-packed full of tasks and new experiences, which helped me to improve my hands-on knowledge of the law. I know we’ve all been on those work placements where your prime job is to make tea and coffee and the only thing you learn is how strong or how many sugars everyone takes! However, this firm was quite the opposite. It was very rewarding to be trusted with real responsibilities and to then receive feedback on how to improve. It is so difficult to come out of University with a perfect CV and to then land your dream job, which is why it is so important to have experiences like the one Goody Burrett offers. If you’re looking for the perfect law placement and you want a career in high-street law, this firm truly offers invaluable experiences to display on your CV.

Once I leave my placement, I am extremely excited to enter this unique, interesting, crazy and rapidly changing career. Ultimately, I aspire to be a successful family solicitor and to help people in the local community. This firm has encouraged me to better myself and I will hopefully remain in contact with everyone that has helped me during my time here. Thank you to everyone at Goody Burrett.

If you are currently looking for a work experience placement in a successful and welcoming high-street law firm, then do not hesitate to contact us here at Goody Burrett. To apply please email us with a covering letter and your CV, our deadline for Summer work experience is the end of February every year.

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