After completing a degree in Law and French, I began my career as a Fraud and Scams Investigator in the financial sector. While I found the work rewarding, I was particularly drawn to legal practice areas involving technology and life sciences clients. Bristows stood out for its expertise in data protection and competition law within these sectors, which aligned with my academic interests in international and EU law.

The firm’s reputation for approachability and the calibre of its lawyers—many of whom are recognised leaders in their fields—made it an ideal place to train. I was keen to develop my skills in an environment known for high-quality work and strong mentorship.

The collaborative and supportive culture at Bristows has been a consistent feature of my experience. Teams are approachable, and there is a genuine interest in helping trainees learn. The firm encourages involvement in a wide range of work, and I’ve felt well-supported throughout my training.

Seat Experience:

Real Estate (3 months)

I worked on a variety of commercial occupancy matters, acting for both landlords and tenants. This provided insight into the differing priorities on each side of a transaction. My responsibilities included:

• Drafting lease reports and mark-ups
• Reviewing and summarising amendments for clients
• Conducting due diligence
• Calculating and submitting SDLT

Competition (6 months)

This seat involved both litigation and advisory work, and I particularly enjoyed working on matters for clients in both the Technology and Life Sciences Sectors. I enjoyed exploring different markets and working through the different challenges that clients were facing. Key tasks included:

• Legal research and document review
• Drafting correspondence and advisory emails
• Attending a hearing at the Competition Appeal Tribunal
• Presenting on a CMA merger control decision
• Drafting attendance notes

Client Secondment at Capgemini (ongoing)

I am currently on secondment with Capgemini’s in-house legal team, where I’ve worked on matters involving commercial contracts, employment law, data protection, and competition law. The experience has provided valuable insight into the in-house legal function and broadened my exposure to different areas of practice.