Grace Roe – Solicitor Apprentice – Reflections on a busy 2021
During National Apprenticeship week we caught up with our very own Solicitor Apprentice, Grace Roe, for her views on the last 12 months working with Pictons.
“Grace In your role as a Solicitor Apprentice what kind of work have you been doing over the last year?
“Over the last year I have been training mostly in the Wills, Trusts and Probate department. My daily roles include releasing Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorneys and Deeds to clients. Throughout the year I gained a further understanding in the area by assisting the fee earners on probate applications, drafting Wills and Land Registry Applications.”
“Have there been any challenges with remote working and being a Solicitor Apprentice?”
“One thing I’ve found a little challenging is not being able to interact fully at times with the experienced team around me. When working in the office I found it helpful listening in on appointments and the more senior members of staff talking about the cases they are working on. However, this has recently improved given the team is increasingly working in a blended way with more time together in the office. That said the transition to technology based working was pretty seamless.”
“Have you been able to enjoy unexpected surprises despite the challenges of the pandemic?”
“Yes! I was recently given the opportunity to go with my family to the Luton Town FA Cup against Harrogate – Pictons are a sponsor of Luton Town FC. My family and I are really big Luton Town supporters so this was a great day out. I am also attending the Luton Business Community meetings with Sukh Saini, our Managing Partner. This gives me the chance to network with other companies within Luton and broaden my profile.”
“What were the highlights for you in 2021?”
“A highlight for me personally was turning 21! I also obtained my highest mark in my course in EU law which was 82%. “
“From here how do you see your career panning out?”
“I started year 3 of my apprenticeship this January so I am half way to qualifying. I hope that during the next few years I can further develop my communication skills by attending more client meetings and eventually building my own client base. The apprenticeship has gone so fast and I hope I can continue my progress and fully qualify as a solicitor in September 2025.
“Would you recommend the Solicitor Apprentice route to other people and if so why?”
“I would definitely recommend it. The thought of a 6 year course is scary but it allows the student to gain experience in different areas and be exposed to working life. When you are enjoying the work that you do then time flies! I know that if there is anything I need to achieve for my apprenticeship the team will always be very supportive. It can be intense at times but I am surrounded by experienced colleagues who support, and guide me, providing inspiration and support.”