A Day in the Life with Bijendra Singh
Our trainee solicitors play a key role across the firm, gaining hands-on experience from day one. To give you an insight into what that looks like in practice, we asked our current trainees to share a snapshot of their day-to-day work across different seats. While no two days are the same, these insights offer a glimpse into the variety, responsibility and support that come with training at Warners.
Bijendra Singh
First Year Trainee
Current seat: Private Client
Previous seat: Family
I am Bijendra Singh, a trainee solicitor currently undertaking my second seat in the Private Client team at the Tonbridge office. One of the highlights of being a solicitor is the fact that no day is the same, so the following is an example of what I might experience in a day.
I arrive at the office at 8.45am, which gives me time to check my emails before the office opens at 9am. I then create a list of tasks to complete within the day and order them by priority.
The first task from my supervising solicitor is often to draft a Will. I read the attendance note from the initial meeting with the client to ensure the draft reflected the client’s wishes accurately.
Around 11am, I attend a client meeting with my supervisor to take instructions on the administration of an estate. My primary role is to take notes of the discussion and to observe how my supervisor conducts the meeting. I have found dealing with probate particularly rewarding because the work allows us to alleviate some burden for those who are going through a difficult time following the loss of a loved one.
By the time the meeting finishes and I liaise with my supervisor about the next steps, it is time for lunch
I often spend this time catching up with my fellow trainees or by taking a short walk in the local park.
I spend the first hour after my lunch break responding to various emails and catching up on the other tasks on my list. For instance, I could be asked to call HMRC on a variety of Inheritance Tax queries. There are also occasions where my supervisor and I might visit a client at their home for Will and/or LPA signing.
Midway through the afternoon, my supervisor has availability to review my draft of the Will. We discuss its contents and where I could improve. I am grateful that I get this support as it helps develop my skill in drafting these complex documents. I have realised that every Will is different!
Around 4pm, I prepare an attendance note for the client meeting I attended earlier in the day. I ensure this is accurate as this records the instructions of your client. I complete the attendance note and send it to my supervisor for their comments.
I use the final part of the day to plan ahead for the next day and complete any outstanding tasks.
Working in Private Client is particularly rewarding, as we are often helping individuals and families during important or difficult times.
If you are interested in starting your legal career with Warners, applications for our Trainee Solicitor Programme are now open. Find out more: Trainee Solicitor Programme
