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Life as a trainee in the big 5 or elsewhere

  • 23-03-2012 3:36pm
    #1
    kensi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭


    Hi,

    I thought that with so many threads on the salaries it might be an idea to have one on what it would actually be like to train on a day to day basis in the big 5 ( or big 15, small practice- feel free to broaden it out). Let people know what they are in for.

    It would be great if people posted what those first few weeks/months were like or on the overall experience. I'll be starting my traineeship in a big 5 firm in the next few months and i'll post when do.

    Thanks,
    Kensi


Comments

  • #2
    solarplexus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 76 ✭✭solarplexus


    kensi wrote: »
    Hi,

    I thought that with so many threads on the salaries it might be an idea to have one on what it would actually be like to train on a day to day basis in the big 5 ( or big 15, small practice- feel free to broaden it out). Let people know what they are in for.

    It would be great if people posted what those first few weeks/months were like or on the overall experience. I'll be starting my traineeship in a big 5 firm in the next few months and i'll post when do.

    Thanks,
    Kensi

    Ok, so I've been working in small firm now for 2 months and the experience is amazing.... Im in court every other day, filing high court bail applications, consultations etc... Its been mega. Sure I don't get paid for it but who cares I'm not photocopying all day!


  • #3
    Dandelion6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,405 ✭✭✭Dandelion6


    solarplexus wrote: »
    Ok, so I've been working in small firm now for 2 months and the experience is amazing.... Im in court every other day, filing high court bail applications, consultations etc...

    Similar to my experience (also in a small firm). The down side is you do get stuck with some of the tedious things that nobody else wants to do, but it's part of the experience so you just have to put up with it.
    Sure I don't get paid for it but who cares

    I would care. I'm entitled to be paid (admittedly not much!) for the work that I do.


  • #4
    Robaird
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭Robaird


    I've been working in a small firm since Oct 2011. I'm only getting travel expenses (ca.€200 per month) and it's very unlikely I'll get any pay until after PPCI - April 2013. It's an employer's market and training solicitors seize on prospective trainees' desperation to find a traineeship. It's infuriating to work under such conditions and to be exploited. I've worked in different areas and learned alot but six months in and my motivation is waning. It's ridiculous that the law society include the minimum wage requirements in the indenture pack but do nothing to ensure each provision is being adhered to...


  • #5
    JRD2011
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭JRD2011


    Don't count on getting paid after the PPC1 either. I qualified in January last year having worked for €350 a month while I did the traineeship through a small general practice. I got no pay during PPC I or PPCII and paid my own fees.
    The only way to force your training solicitor to abide by the indentures is to report them to the Law Society and you'll never work after your traineeship if you do. Find a traineeship in a bigger firm, they'll usually keep paying something as they don't want it to get out that they can't afford to pay their trainees.


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