Stella is one of our first-seat trainees in the corporate team in the London office. In this blog, she reflects on the start of her training journey, sharing how she has built her skills and worked collaboratively across the firm.
Published: 19 May 2026
Author: Stella Loukaidou, Trainee Solicitor
After completing our induction week in Birmingham, it was time to say farewell to trainees based in other offices and head back to London to begin my seat in the core corporate department.
The network we built during that week has genuinely lasted. The corporate trainees continue to stay in touch to discuss tasks, share tips, ask questions, attend training sessions and navigate challenges together. I remember one particularly busy time towards Christmas when my capacity was stretched. I reached out to two trainees in other offices who were more than happy to step in and support me.
My previous experiences
My time as a paralegal at a venture capital firm gave me a degree of comfort as I began my seat. It meant I had a high-level understanding of the work corporate lawyers do and the key differences between venture capital and private equity transactions.
Completing my training at a law firm in Cyprus also strengthened my interpersonal skills. These skills have proved invaluable at the firm. From building relationships across offices, to communicating effectively with colleagues in different teams and divisions.
Enhancing my technical knowledge and expanding my skills
In my first few months, I was introduced to a range of tasks and quickly learned the importance of getting the fundamentals right.
One of my early tasks involved reviewing a client’s articles of association and adapting a precedent to meet their needs. I also drafted ancillary documents, including board minutes, for several deals.
This helped me apply what I learned on the Legal Practice Course, particularly around directors’ duties when declaring interests in proposed transactions.
As my seat progressed, so did the complexity of my work. By my fourth month, I had the opportunity to support on the completion of two very different company acquisitions in different sectors. Being involved across the full lifecycle from drafting documents to seeing the transfer of funds on completion, was an exciting and rewarding stage in my training contract so far.
I also learned that developing as a corporate trainee is not only about technical ability. Soft skills matter just as much. Managing fast-paced transactions, handling challenging situations and being transparent about my capacity are all crucial to working effectively as part of a team and contributing my best.
Developing my brand
Working in the corporate team, and in a law firm more generally, is about more than gaining knowledge and developing skills. It is also about building a strong personal brand. The impression I leave now will shape how colleagues see me when I apply for a newly qualified role. This has motivated me to approach each task, challenge and interaction with transparency, openness and a willingness to learn.
Looking ahead
One of the most rewarding aspects of my seat has been seeing how the corporate team works with colleagues across the firm. This is especially clear during due diligence, where we rely on specialist input from different teams and divisions.
I am looking forward to moving into my next seat and approaching matters from the perspective of another team. I am excited to apply the skills and knowledge I have developed as a corporate trainee while continuing to work with my corporate colleagues from the other end of the process.
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