I joined Nantes Solicitors in September 2023 as a Placement student from the University of Exeter. For me, it was an obvious choice to do a placement year since gaining practical experience is central to my development as an aspiring solicitor. Although the transition from student life to working life had its challenges, Nantes offered me a supportive and dynamic environment to build positive relationships with highly skilled and knowledgeable legal professionals.
Over the course of my placement, I experienced Divorce and Separation in the Weymouth Office, Conveyancing in the Dorchester Office and Private Client in the Bridport Office.
Weymouth Office
My first seat of my placement experience was in Divorce and Separation with Cherise Luke-Bennett and my daily tasks involved drafting documents, sitting in on client meetings and legal research. I found it informative learning about the fundamental changes to divorce law and how these have driven changes in the legal approach to the divorce process. The Separate Together pathway was of particular interest to me as an amicable alternative to a traditionally adversarial process.
Dorchester Office
My next seat was in Conveyancing with Elizabeth White where I was able to follow conveyancing matters through to completion. Working in this department allowed me to consolidate the theoretical knowledge gained from my degree with practical involvement permitting me a comprehensive understanding of the conveyancing process. I particularly enjoyed building relationships with clients and the satisfaction of concluding a purchase or sale of a property.
Bridport Office
My final seat was in Private Client with Katie Day where I shadowed client meetings, conducted legal research and drafted documents such as wills. As this was my final seat, it was useful to consolidate the skills I had gained from other offices, particularly as conveyancing compliments Private Client matters. I enjoyed working in this department as client matters, particularly will instructions, were so varied and each circumstance was personal and required specified, tailored advice. The varied circumstances allowed me to understand how to advise a diverse range of clients, and emphasised the true importance of having an effective will to deal with your affairs.
My placement at Nantes Solicitors has offered me invaluable practical experience to complement my theoretical knowledge which I gained whilst at university. This practical experience has been vital to building my workplace skills, especially working with legal professionals who are driven to provide a high-quality service to clients across all departments and offices. Whilst my placement experience required commitment and determination, the rewards have been well worth it, and it has truly allowed me to develop as an aspiring solicitor.
