Leading Cumbrian law firm Bendles wants to find the brightest homegrown talent to join its ranks.
The solicitors, which has served the county’s community for over 200 years, is looking for its next generation – and there is more than one route into the profession.
Here, trainee solicitor Ewan Ivison explains how Bendles has supported him since he joined the long-established firm.
I joined the team at Bendles in 2023 beginning my training contract at the start of 2024.
Embarking on a training contract is an exciting and challenging journey for any aspiring solicitor.
As I graduated from university in 2023, I am following the new route to qualification by completing the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE).
This route to qualification contrasts the more traditional routes and aims to allow a more accessible and flexible means of attaining qualification.
Completing a training contract marks the transition from academic study to practical application which offers a hands-on approach to legal work that you do not get much experience of at university.
I currently find myself just past the halfway mark of my training contract which has given me the opportunity to gain valuable insight into what my role will be like post-qualification.
I began my training contract working in the firm’s private client department under the guidance of my colleague Megan Graham.
Megan made my transition into a training contract seem relatively comfortable as her support and encouragement instilled lots of well-needed confidence.
In the private client department, I was introduced to the intricacies of wills, probate and estate administration.
If I’m being completely honest I wasn’t overly enthused when I found out I would be starting my training contract in this department but I found the work incredibly rewarding.
I was able to build a rapport with clients fairly quickly by assisting with sensitive matters such as drafting their wills or navigating the complexities of Lasting Powers of Attorney.
The next stage of my training contract was a seat in the firm’s conveyancing department where the pace of work was noticeably faster.
Here, under the guidance of my colleague Chloe Hewetson, I was involved in all stages across a transaction.
I quickly learned that attention to detail and having the ability to manage multiple tasks at once are key skills for success.
Chloe played an essential role in teaching me how to manage clients expectations and how to ensure all aspects of a transaction are completed smoothly and efficiently.
The experience in conveyancing has proved invaluable particularly by enhancing my organisational client-facing skills.
Overall, the training contract thus far has been a rewarding experience. It has provided me with exposure to different areas of law and given me the opportunity to grow both my legal knowledge and practical skills.
Ultimately, my growing confidence and varied experience has given me a solid platform to build a successful legal career.
