Emma Bennington, Trainee Solicitor, Commercial Property Department

Emma Bennington (Second year trainee, Commercial Property department)

Degree: Law at Newcastle University

Work Experience: Vacation schemes at Muckle LLP and Watson Burton, current Trainee Representative on the Tees Valley Law Society Education and Training Committee

Hobbies: Travelling, walking my dog, singing, playing golf and music

I’m a second year trainee and am currently working in Commercial Property which is my third seat. I work with all fee earners in the department, but particularly with Simon Wake, the head of the department, who is my supervisor.

I am involved with a mixture of commercial property matters which range from simple leases to large commercial developments and have opportunities for daily client contact. I am able to take a very proactive and hands-on role in the department and am given experience of managing my own files (with supervision of course!). So far I have drafted leases, assisted on residential conveyances, undertaken due diligence on a large development sale, provided advice to clients on a range of issues and assisted the corporate and commercial department with the property elements of their transactions.

My previous seats have been commercial litigation and employment. During my employment seat I advised clients on all aspects of employment law through dealing with a wide range of tribunal work, assisting other fee earners and attending tribunal hearings. During my litigation seat I was involved with a huge range of disputes, ranging from contractual disputes to an application to the ECJ. I was able to do some of my own advocacy and was lucky enough to go to the Court of Appeal twice!
 
The Endeavour Partnership appealed to me because of its commercial focus and the types of clients we deal with. It’s a really supportive atmosphere to work in and nobody is ever “too busy to help”.

As you do set seats you know from the outset exactly which areas you will train in. Each trainee does seats in the four core departments - employment, commercial litigation, commercial property and company/commercial, so you know you will be getting a very well rounded commercial training contract.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved with networking events which range from afternoon tea, quizzes to exhibition openings. The work life balance is really excellent and there isn’t a culture of working late.

Teesside offers a great experience for trainees as you get to work with the area’s wealth of small/medium enterprises and like-minded people who are passionate about the area.

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