Initially, I studied Biological Sciences at the University of Leeds and quickly realised that, whilst I very much enjoyed the science, I couldn’t see myself pursuing a career in the lab. I therefore decided to pursue a Masters in Law, as it complemented the analytical skills developed during my degree with written communication skills adaptable to a range of STEM-adjacent careers.

After my studies, I spent three years as a medical writer at a pharmaceutical marketing agency. Alongside copywriting, I often navigated strict regulatory requirements and worked closely with legal teams to approve marketing materials. Ultimately, this legal aspect became my favourite part of the role and inspired me to pursue a career in law.

Coming from a STEM background, Bristows naturally stood out for its leading life sciences and tech work, as well as its reputation for having a friendly and supportive culture. After attending an IP workshop at Bristows, I applied for a training contract and found the process transparent and engaging, with multiple opportunities to demonstrate my interest in the firm and its work. The process involved an initial written application, a pre-recorded video interview, a written exercise, and two further interviews with senior associates and partners, alongside an in-person problem-solving exercise.

My training contract commenced with 6 months in Patent Litigation, followed by 3 months in Corporate, Tax and Employment (CTE), and I am now sitting in Commercial IP/IT/DCL.

Patent Litigation was a great opportunity to apply my life sciences background, with trainee tasks often including:

• Attending expert witness interviews and noting key discussion points
• Researching complex scientific and legal issues
• Preparing for and attending conferences with counsel
• Attending court, preparing bundles and drafting letters to the opposition

CTE allowed me to develop my transactional skills, and included:

• Communicating directly with clients and other legal teams to progress transactions
• Drafting key transaction and ancillary documents
• Attending calls to align on key provisions and timelines

And whilst Commercial IP/IT/DCL has only just begun, this has involved:

• Drafting amendments to licensing agreements and similar documents
• Reviewing documents as part of a media litigation disclosure process

Across all seats, trainees at Bristows are given early responsibility and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to high-quality work. Supervisors are genuinely invested in trainees’ development and actively support them in pursuing their interests. The firm has a strong social culture, with events such as Bristows Oktoberfest, Quiz of the Year, and the annual Spring Ball, as well as social sports leagues, book clubs and other activities. As part of a close-knit trainee cohort of 10, it is easy to build strong connections with peers, so there is always a friendly face or familiar point of contact.