Robert Lewis

From: Manchester
University: Oxford
Year of Training: First
Current Seat: Commercial Property

What stage are you in your training?

I am right at the start of my training contract – my first seat. I’ve been working in the Commercial Property team for just over two months and, even though it doesn’t seem very long at all, I’m over half way through this seat. At Farrers we have a six-seat trainee rotation so you get a wider exposure to different areas of the firm.

What’s life been like at Farrers so far?

It’s been really good – even better than I could have anticipated before I started. Everybody in the firm is so supportive; they make time for you as a new trainee and are genuinely interested in ensuring you are given the best opportunities to learn and progress. The other trainees provide a fantastic support structure and we get along really well.

Was there any one experience that made you go into law?

Not really – I had quite a meandering route into law. I’d always been quite interested in law and thought that it was a career I might want to pursue, but I did a History and Politics degree and when I finished university I really wanted to go straight into work. I was recruited by Teach First and worked as a history teacher for a couple of years. During my long holidays as a teacher I did various work experience placements in law and decided the career suited me, so I made a change. I’ve not looked back!

What do you think Farrers looks for in a candidate?

Because the firm has such a varied practice, I don’t think it’s possible to identify a Farrers ‘type’. The personalities among the trainees and the solicitors are extremely varied. Whilst having a good academic record is essential, looking at the other trainees I don’t think this alone will make you stand out as a candidate. I think Farrers look for candidates who have good academics and also a range of interests and experience that they can bring to the firm.

How do you see your career panning out?

Hopefully here at Farrers! The firm has an impressive retention rate for trainees.  Judging from my experience so far, I can’t think of any reason I would want to leave at the end of my training contract. I don’t know which team I want to qualify into yet – I’m just looking forward to experiencing a broad range of the firm’s practice during the next two years.