1. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Life as a trainee at VWV Michael Delaney (Partner)

2. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents What we will be covering today What is a lawyer? Key facts about VWV Culture and ethos of the firm Life as a trainee Other activities Top Tips

3. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents What is a lawyer?

4. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents What kind of law interests me?

5. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents How can I become a lawyer? A Levels/IB Non-law Degree Law Degree Paralegal/legal assistant Legal Practice Course GDL Bar Professional Training Course Training Contract SolicitorBarrister CILEX Chartered Legal Executive Flexible law society CPE equivalent Professional Skills Course Pupillage

6. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents What is a training contract? Period of training in a law firm before qualifying as a solicitor During this time you are a ‘trainee solicitor’ 2 years 4 (or 6) seats in different departments Exposure to a range of different types of law VWV trainee solicitors

7. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents What kind of law firm would suit me? High street firm Medium sized firm City firm

8. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents What should my next steps be? Sixth form Think about which subjects to pick – academic with a good chance of high grades. Law is not necessary at this stage. University Either law or non-law, do what you enjoy! Focus on traditional academic subjects. Extra-curricular activities Work experience Current affairs/commercial awareness

9. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents VWV – key facts Over 380 staff based in Bristol, London, Birmingham and Watford (50 in London) Approximately 65 partners Turnover £29 million Full service law firm Managing partner – Simon Heald (previous trainee of the firm)

10. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Recruitment Occurs 2 years before planned start date Online application Academic qualifications Successful completion of LPC Relevant work experience Extra-curriculum activities Panel interview Assessment day Include a presentation a group activity a written exercise

11. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents The Culture & Ethos at VWV Approachable and easy to talk to Individual approach to training due to size of firm and its culture Core values: - Client at the centre of the firm - Teamwork and collaboration - Commercial approach Awards −Tabitha Cave (Best Training Principal 2012, runner up 2013) −Jo Saye (nominated for allaboutlawTrainee Solicitor of the year 2013) −Lex100 Award for the Friendliness of the Firm

12. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Our trainees Bristol TraineesLondon Trainees

13. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Our experience as trainees Corporate, Commercial and Charities/Pastoral Drafting variety of documents Attending client meetings/ regular client contact Preparing disclosure due diligence documents Working on completion documentation and attending completion meetings Registering charities with the Charities Commission

14. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Employment/ Commercial Litigation Our experience as trainees Contracts, witness statements Conferences with Counsel and other side Preparing, drafting and filing judgment applications Liaising with Counsel, clients and other side re ET/EAT Writing articles for website and magazines, tweeting Attending hearings, filing & issuing docs at RCJ

15. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Private Client Our experience as trainees Administration of estates Trusts Lasting Powers of Attorney Wills and codicils Tax issues Legal research

16. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Commercial Property/Property Litigation Our experience as trainees Real Estate Drafting & negotiating Leases/licenses etc Liaising with clients Completions Land Registration/Stamp Duty Land Tax Returns Property Litigation Preparing and delivering court bundles Legal Research Court experience

17. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Training Very hands-on training Induction programme In-house training Professional skills course

18. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Other activities Corporate Social Responsibility Committee Charities of the Year Abseil down Senate House Library/bake sale Sports and Social Committee LegalUpstarts networking dinner RopedIn

19. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Charity abseil

20. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Top Tips Apply for the vacation schemes Look out for alternative routes in – paralegal positions Application form: focus on the core values Follow us - @VWVCareers and @VWVLawFirm http://www.vwv.co.uk/careers/trainees/blog-and-trainee-profiles

21. www.vwv.co.uk | Offices in London, Watford, Bristol & Birmingham Lawyers & Parliamentary Agents Michael Delaney Partner mdelaney@vwv.co.uk 01923 208817 Ellen Marsh Recruitment Manager emarsh@vwv.co.uk