Testimonials

I was entering the final seat of my training contract at Edwin Coe when, what we now refer to as, Lockdown 1.0 was announced. With courts and tribunals across the country closed overnight, the contentious practice at Edwin Coe saw some of the most immediate changes with virtual or hybrid hearings and mandatory electronic bundles. This was a sharp learning curve for even the most experienced practitioners and it was an exciting time to be with the Group Action Litigation team.

The non-contentious practice was also required to move online. As a trainee, I was accustomed to regularly attending client meetings in our beautiful Lincoln’s Inn offices, but these now had to be handled over Zoom. I was initially worried that Edwin Coe’s approach to training, in that you sit in an office with a Partner or Senior Associate to learn from them by ‘osmosis’, would be lost. But I was pleased that Edwin Coe’s general open door attitude continued when we began working from home. I always felt able to contact my supervising partner or any fee earner with questions or if I needed support. We also had regular team video calls to catch up on work (and social).

Trainees at Edwin Coe are encouraged to meet people from across the firm by attending social and charity events and joining the firm’s sports teams. I was glad that not even a global pandemic stopped Edwin Coe’s inaugural quiz from taking place or from participating in the (virtual) London Legal Walk.

At Edwin Coe you will be part of a smaller trainee intake than other firms. This means that you can get to know your fellow trainees much better and rely on each other for support. I was nervous to be qualifying in 2020 with the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. However, I was delighted to be offered a qualification position with Edwin Coe’s Private Client team and looking back I believe the challenges we faced in the final seat of our training contracts have made us more adaptable and confident NQ solicitors.

It is clear from my time at Edwin Coe so far, that the focus of the firm is to provide a first-class service to clients. In achieving this, the firm has established a strong culture of professionalism, mutual respect amongst colleagues and plenty of opportunity for social interaction. For me as a trainee, working in this environment provides a balanced and well-rounded learning experience.

My first seat in Property has involved working on residential and commercial transactions, from initial client meetings through to post-completion matters. As well as working with partners and associates, I have also managed files independently, requiring me to deal directly with clients and other external parties. This early responsibility and direct involvement on transactions is, for me, what sets life as a trainee at Edwin Coe apart from other firms.

The high expectation of trainees at Edwin Coe is balanced by the support and training provided. Partners and other senior professionals are approachable and willing to offer advice. My Property supervisor has been highly supportive and always on hand to answer questions, whether law-related or more generally about the firm’s policies and procedures. Sharing an office with a partner has exposed me to high-level transactions and has markedly improved my ability to deal with client matters.

People often believe that life as a lawyer is synonymous with all-night working and weekends spent in the office. From my experience at Edwin Coe, hours vary depending on the transaction. Hard work and long hours are necessary to achieve the high standards expected by clients, but once work has been completed and deadlines met, there is no obligation to put in face time. The emphasis on work-life balance at the firm contributes to the congenial working environment and makes the busy periods more of an exciting challenge than a laborious obligation.

Socialising with colleagues is strongly promoted at the firm, as evidenced by numerous events, parties and sporting occasions. I am impressed that future trainees are invited to social events and are encouraged to get involved from an early stage. This certainly took the edge off my first day at work! I have also had the opportunity to attend various client events, which has been invaluable in developing working relationships and showing how my work benefits clients.

A day in the life of an Edwin Coe trainee starts with reading emails and planning a work schedule for that day. My experience in Property has taught me to treat the daily schedule with some degree of flexibility, as there is often new work coming in which may need to be prioritised. I complete ad hoc work first, provided there is nothing urgent due for completion beforehand. New work requires reading up on the matter and researching any unusual features. I take lunch with other trainees if I can. Sometimes I play netball for the firm at lunchtime, which is always a welcome break from the computer. Back at work, if a client meeting is necessary, I will organise this; if not, I may email or call the client to gather information as needed. I will draft any documents required and discuss them with the partner. The draft documents are sent externally for negotiation or approval. I make a note of all work I undertake, both to plan what needs to be done next and for my training log. In the evening after work, I like to keep busy, whether that be an evening netball match with colleagues, drinks with fellow trainees or maybe a firm quiz!

My experience at Edwin Coe LLP has taught me that there is a lot more to training than standing in front of a photocopier. From very early on I was involved in client interviews and was responsible for managing a relatively heavy workload. Whilst challenging, it equipped me with the skills required for qualification.

One of the best aspects of training with the firm has been sharing an office with a partner. Although this seems a little daunting at first, you gain a lot from this set-up. I really appreciated the fact that the partners are keen to seek your thoughts on issues as this ensures that you make a meaningful contribution from day one.

Sharing an office also provides an excellent opportunity to observe partners ‘in action’ and to learn from them. The friendly atmosphere is most conducive to learning and developing.

Now I’m the Partner and do my best to support the new trainees coming through.

At Edwin Coe you can be sure to get access to exceptional quality work, together with a high level of responsibility from an early stage. This prepares you well for qualification and ensures you acquire the skills required to be an associate.

The firm has a very effective approach to training, in that you typically share an office with a partner or senior associate. By working alongside a partner or an experienced solicitor you are placed in the ideal environment for learning by ‘osmosis’. Due to the friendly size of the trainee intake you will be the only trainee within the department and therefore an important and valued member of the team.

As a trainee your working days, either with clients or at court, are extremely varied and no two days are the same. The firm has a friendly open door policy and all fee earners are extremely approachable and willing to answer any questions or queries. Edwin Coe encourages a collegiate approach to working life and the social committee organises a number of fun events throughout the year; from drinks in The Courtyard to table tennis tournaments and quizzes.