Getting a training contract
The Paralegal Centre of Excellence (PCoE) is a key component of our Managed Legal Services offering. Through this, we look to assign top quality paralegals to client projects to ensure that work is not only better allocated but completed to the highest of standards. Currently, our PCoE is home to over 120 paralegals who assist on a wide range of work and whilst this is of huge value to Vario and the firm, it also invaluable to those who work within it because of the working experience it provides.
Although many legal professionals make the choice to be career paralegals, there are a great number of lawyers who see gaining a Training Contract as their first big career goal. Eight of our paralegals have acquired Training Contracts with Pinsent Masons starting in 2024 and we sat down with some of this cohort to ask them how the PCoE helped their legal career.
What has been your proudest moment as a paralegal?
Nathan Byrne, Paralegal Team Lead
There are a fair few to select from! I’ve been involved in numerous successful projects, and I’ve have had some incredible opportunities during my time in the PCoE. I’ve been able to get involved with innovation, management (both project and people) and strategy. For me though, the specific feedback I’ve received has been extremely important and very encouraging. If you’ve been given a challenging or technical task, there’s nothing better than completing the work and receiving positive feedback from your supervisors. The fewer redlines the better!
Melissa Garton, Paralegal Team Lead
Becoming the point of contact for clients during a large novation project. I was running weekly client calls to provide status updates, as well as drafting and issuing for signature over 50 documents relating to a corporate restructuring. Within the same project, I’ve been assisting senior lawyers on the automation of the process for the new batch of sub-contract novations and am being asked to provide input to the ADT team following the testing of new features.
Tom Foster, Paralegal and Employment Case Handler
Being nominated for Employment Paralegal of the Year. It was very humbling to be put forward by the firm for such an accolade in recognition of my efforts.
How do you feel your experience within the PCoE has prepared you for your Training Contract and the application process for it?
Nathan Byrne, Paralegal Team Lead
My time in the PCoE has allowed for so much personal development and progression. I’ve been able to support some incredible lawyers across PM and I’ve learned so much from them. I’ve also had the opportunity to lead an incredible team of paralegals. The responsibility has definitely allowed me to grow, both in confidence and ability. It gave me lots to talk about during my application and my mentors and supervisors also offered fantastic advice and encouragement. That support network was absolutely crucial and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
Melissa Garton, Paralegal Team Lead
The PCoE has given me many opportunities to meet a variety of colleagues, from business operations and the LPM / MLS teams to corporate lawyers across the UK offices and beyond. Having the flexibility to pick up new projects and transactional work, engage with clients, and work on a variety of tasks has allowed me to form a holistic view of corporate transactions.
All the support from colleagues within the PCoE and the paralegal managers has also been very much appreciated!
Tom Foster, Paralegal and Employment Case Handler
I have no doubt that the experience that I have gained with the PCoE, and prior to that in the Paralegal Hub, gave me an added advantage when applying for Training Contracts. My experiences gave me plenty of high-level examples to refer to and allowed me to really show off my specific legal skillset. This allowed me to actually show the interviewers how suitable I was for a Training Contract.
What advice would you give to current paralegals who also aspire to secure a Training Contract?
Nathan Byrne, Paralegal Team Lead
I find giving advice on this topic quite difficult because securing a training contract is far from easy and for many, including myself, rejection is part and parcel of the process. I think just generally a good piece of advice I heard a few years ago was to fail forward. You learn a lot from your mistakes and if you can keep putting yourself out there and working on yourself, you’ll ultimately improve. Try not to compare yourself to others, focus on what you need to do. Again, having a support network is invaluable; my mentors and supervisors have helped me so much with my career progression.
Melissa Garton, Paralegal Team Lead
I actually have three pieces of advice for this:
1. Network with as many lawyers as possible to build your brand and workflow. Put in regular capacity catch ups with a few key lawyers to remain in their headspace when it comes to allocating out work. Sign up for events which aren’t necessarily part of your day to day role e.g. volunteering, any chance at secondments etc.
2. Listen to podcasts on commercial topics and read the internal communications to see what the firm has been up to recently and what is upcoming.
3. Don’t give up! The competition for training contracts is tough and rejection is not necessarily a reflection of your ability. Keep the faith and the right opportunity will come along.
Tom Foster, Paralegal and Employment Case Handler
Obtaining a training contract is often a numbers game and involves a significant amount of luck on the day. Rejections will undoubtedly come but it does give you a chance to really develop your interview skills and to understand how to show off your skills and experience.
To find out more about our paralegal opportunities within the Paralegal Centre of Excellence, you can visit our careers page or contact us directly.