Jasmin Johal
After gaining my International Baccalaureate Diploma and Law degree, I completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, London. During my second year at university, I decided to maximise my legal experience by attending vacation scheme interviews and assessment days at specific international law firms in London. This exposure helped me to gain a clearer perception of city culture and realise the type of law firm in which I wanted to gain my training contract. During my research, I was impressed with Birketts because of its varied and diverse portfolio and the fact that it was also ranked amongst the top 100 UK law firms swayed me to decline London in favour of a regional office. In Birketts, I recognised the opportunity to flourish as an individual without compromising all the benefits of city culture. Birketts has offices in two of the most exciting cities outside London and in Ipswich town, which is near the area that I originally grew up in. The recent acquisition of the Chelmsford office is further confirmation that this firm is going places and I want to be a part of its success.
I spent my first six months in the property department. From the word go, I was entrusted with actual legal work, rather than being given insignificant and routine tasks just to fill my day. This was exactly what I had hoped for and expected from Birketts. I found that it was challenging, enjoyable and quite an experience dealing with clients. Having always been a full time student up to this point, I expected the initial exposure to the demands of a legal career to be intimidating. However, my initial apprehension proved to be unfounded. I began to develop the confidence to think on my feet and interact with clients, under the careful guidance of my supervisor and support from my colleagues. The work I undertook ranged from residential sales/purchases to the more high value commercial property transactions. I spent my second seat in the corporate/commercial department and the transition was seamless. I had exposure to a variety of work from business clients. I am currently in my third seat, in the Norwich employment team. The early signs are that, under the capable wings of my current supervisors, this work will be equally stimulating.
The common theme running through my tenure here so far is the caring and supportive atmosphere in which the trainees are being managed and encouraged to tackle tasks without fear of making mistakes. The partners, many of whom have city firm backgrounds, are highly experienced and able lawyers, yet they are never too busy and operate an open door policy. I feel confident that Birketts will provide me with the safety net to enable me to make sound legal decisions and develop business and commercial acumen.
It was a privilege to be able to meet Birketts’ exacting standards at the interview. I consider myself lucky to be selected as a trainee and be given an unrivalled opportunity to work for one of the best law firms in the region.