Andy Scott - Trainee Solicitor
You were working here before you applied for the training contract. How did that come about?
I came here as a paralegal. I was still in the middle of my studies and I wanted to earn some money. I’d planned to apply to a smaller firm so I thought it was only a stopgap. But I soon felt pretty comfortable here. I was in Intellectual Property, which is one of the smaller practices, so I got to know everyone. But the work was very high calibre and the people really bright too. I realised it was the best of both worlds.
It must have been quite a change coming back as a trainee.
It’s been great actually. What I didn’t realise is just how much commercial insight you get working here. I’d imagined it would primarily be about the law. But as a trainee I’ve been involved with work in lots of different areas, including the flotation of a South African diamond mining company on the London exchange - getting to understand the industry has been a real eye-opener. It’s fascinating.
Two of your supervisors have gone to set up the office in Abu Dhabi. Will you go on an international secondment do you think?
I’m definitely thinking about it. As a kid I spent time in Hong Kong and I’ve got friends there so it would be good to go back. But the Middle East is really taking off, particularly in terms of infrastructure and energy projects. I could build on my experience in Finance and go and see what’s happening on the ground. There’s a lot of choice. It’s a pity you can’t do it all!
You’ve also got very involved in the social side of life here. How’s that been?
It’s a lot of fun and an excellent way to meet other people. I helped organise a ski trip to France last winter and the trainee ball this year. I also helped out on planning social events for one of this summer’s vacation schemes. The events included a cookery lesson and a wine tasting course. There are lots of people in the firm who share the same interests so you find plenty of smaller groups within the bigger office. It’s more intimate than I imagined.
Andy Scott
Trainee Solicitor
Law at University College London
LPC at BPP Law School, London
Seats: Corporate, Finance (Energy & Infrastructure), Dispute Resolution, IP/IT
Joined August 2007