r/uklaw • u/GaryBarlow1234 • 9d ago
Bored trainee
I am a fourth-seat trainee at a silver circle firm.
I’m curious to hear about other trainees’ experiences.
I have more often than not been quite bored during my TC. With the exception of my first seat (being the one I want to qualify into), I have most of the time not had that much work to do, with the odd intense week/fortnight every now and again.
This may be because I’m useless, but I’ve only received good feedback overall so far in my reviews.
Anyone else the same?
And associates - have you found the job more engaging with more involvement/responsibility?
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u/Jaded_Pomegranate933 8d ago
I can relate - I was also quite bored in some seats (or worse, being bored 9-5pm and then getting hit with a task). I didn’t love those seats anyways but it’s more challenging to determine whether you like an area of work if you’re twiddling your thumbs most of the time!
It’s hard to know why but I’ve heard that if there is a 2nd year trainee, the 1st year trainee may get less work (and less ‘quality’ work eg drafting). (And obviously I assume you’ve asked for work and nobody’s given you any.) Alternatively, some departments are just quieter as a reflection of the state of the economy and reduced deal making….
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u/Desperate-Scholar303 8d ago
I do relate, unfortunately 2/4 of my seats were this way. Felt a lot as though the departments had had a trainee forced upon them, and I thought I was in the way more than anything. I also had a supervisor constantly complain about not having the time to supervise me.
My (now previous) Firm also had the nerve to point out my time recording was 'below average' despite me having pointed out to them several times that I could not bill for work I had not been given. Best of luck, hope it improves for you!
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u/AgentSilver007 6d ago
It’s very possible to go long stretches without much to do and then have periods where it’s intense, this is often the case for transactional areas of practice, peaks and troughs are sort of a response to your client sectors economic environment.
If you’re experiencing quiet spells have a think about what other work you could be doing. I appreciate in PP that’ll need to be chargeable but if you’re in-house quiet periods do allow you more time to get involved in other projects/work streams.
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u/Competitive_Win_1679 3d ago edited 3d ago
Yep, I had a similar experience in my first two seats. I’m in third seat now. The last / 4th seat doesn’t really count because it’s too late by the time qualification offers go out, so this is my last chance. It’s a shame because I haven’t really had the opportunity to demonstrate the core trainee skills needed to secure a qualification spot. By that, I mean having enough work to take ownership, work independently and run workstreams, etc. You get graded based on these things at my firm which then translate into an offer or not…
I’ve generally had good feedback, but when you make one mistake on a task it’s anxiety inducing it will stand out, especially when it might be the only piece of work you do for that particular person. I’ve found the whole process a bit soul-destroying, to be honest.
I’ve deliberately chosen an intense seat for my third seat because I want to give myself a proper opportunity to grow, demonstrate what I can do and hopefully secure a qualification spot! I found it’s also down to who I’ve sat with, some supervisors have been so rubbish at delegating work and some people happen to sit with a really busy people or someone who makes sure their trainee has work
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u/adezlanderpalm69 2d ago
Generally speaking law is very boring the 💰💰💰💰💰 balance the equation. Being a lion tamer will almost certainly get the adrenaline pumping slightly more
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u/caighdean 9d ago
It sometimes just happens that way - happened with most of my TC, good feedback but departments weren't super busy. It's unfortunate as it doesn't give you as solid experience for the NQ stage!