Claire McGlynn

Claire talks of experiences of the summer internship and the traineeship, as well as Turcan Connell corporate culture.

Introduction
Hi, my name is Claire McGlynn. I am currently a second year trainee at Turcan Connell. I am going to talk to you a bit about my experience as a trainee and the culture of the firm.

What was your experience like applying to Turcan Connell?
I initially applied to Turcan Connell in the second year of University. Having done some research into the areas of work which I enjoyed, I saw from the Legal 500 and Chambers that Turcan Connell were the leaders in the field and thought it was the natural place to apply first. When I applied in second year I received an interview which went very well. I was impressed with the firm, the friendly atmosphere and the people. Unfortunately I did not receive a summer placement that year but I did receive a letter thanking me for applying and advising me that there had been a high volume of applications, and that preference had been given to third year students. The letter advised me to apply again the next year which I did, and thankfully got the place.

What experience have you had during your Summer Internship?
I really enjoyed the summer placement at Turcan Connell. It was a lot more hands on than I was expecting. A lot of firms get you in for filing and photocopying, but I was actually shadowing a solicitor throughout the day and being given tasks to do. The summer placement itself was extraordinary because we were given an eight week placement rather than just a four week placement. This helped give a really good insight into the firm, and into what life would be like as a private client solicitor.

What were the differences between being a summer intern and a trainee?
Having done my summer placement at Turcan Connell, I was keen to come back as a trainee. I was given a place to be a trainee at the firm. From Day 1 things stepped up a gear and I was given my own caseload to do with the help of a mentor. I also had a lot of client contact which is very important to your learning. The traineeship structure allows you to get good experience in the core areas of the firm, being the land and property and tax and trusts teams, but you are also given the opportunity to work in other teams such as litigations, employments, and family law. This means you get to see how the areas all work together. It also allows clients to have a better service and for you to be a better solicitor.

What's the best thing about working at Turcan Connell?
The things I enjoy most about working at Turcan Connell are the high quality work, even as a trainee, and the people. The firm is a really friendly place to work and there is really nice congenial working environment. There isn't a culture of long hours and they strive to give you a good work life balance. As a trainee it's also important that they're looking out for your development, and Turcan Connell definitely do that. They give you ongoing training throughout your seats but also arrange workshops and seminars which they encourage you to attend. Overall, I think it's a good traineeship and a good place to learn.

Is there a social side at Turcan Connell?
It's not all work and no play at Turcan Connell; we also have an active social team who arrange events throughout the year. Each year we have an annual barbeque and Christmas party which are always a great success. We also have sporting teams such as basketball, hockey, golf and touch rugby. Everyone is encouraged to take part if they would like to. We also have one-off events such as wine-tasting and white water rafting.

Find out more about traineeships.