Mohsin has been a Trainee Solicitor at Blaser Mills since September 2014 and is currently sitting his fourth and final seat in the Commercial department. Below is an insight into one of Mohsin’s varied days at work:
8.30am: I am fortunate to live relatively close to our new Head Office in High Wycombe, so my morning commute is not too strenuous. A cup of tea is a must and it allows me to speak to my colleagues before I settle down at my desk. Part of my morning routine is checking through my e-mails and listing all the tasks that I need to do for the day. I meet with my supervisor to talk through my to-do list and to identify what tasks need to be prioritised, making sure I build in the various meetings with clients that my supervisor has scheduled in.
9.15am: My first task is to draft a letter before action for an international client in relation to breach of contract and IP infringement. I really enjoy drafting these as it allows me to conduct some research, identify the main issues, and get involved with some quasi-contentious work in a largely non-contentious team.
10.00am: My supervisor and I have a meeting with a client in relation to a bank debenture. Our client is seeking independent legal advice in relation to the debenture. I had reviewed the documentation with my supervisor a few days previously and had prepared an advice note in advance of the meeting. My supervisor explains the finer points of the debenture to the client and goes through the advice note. Client meetings are great to learn not only about technical legal issues, but also understanding how they impact clients in a business sense.
11.00am: I am assisting my supervisor with the sale of a company, and he has asked me to set-up a Virtual Data Room (VDR) in order to upload the documents onto a secure and encrypted platform. I organise the electronic disclosure bundle and arrange the VDR. Invites for the VDR are sent out to the buyer’s solicitors.
12.00pm: I meet with my supervisor for a conference call with our LLP client. Having met the client and been involved in several telephone and email exchanges with them, I feel that I play an integral role in assisting them. The purpose of this call is to review the draft Shareholders’ Agreement that we have already prepared for our client’s new venture. Only a few minor changes are required, but our client is keen to arrange the signing of the documentation as soon as possible. After a short call, I edit the draft Shareholders’ Agreement, making the relevant changes. The draft is then submitted to the client for final thoughts.
1.00pm: Lunchtime typically involves a short walk with two of my department colleagues to grab a sandwich and get some fresh air. It is encouraged to go out and have a lunch break so that you come back refreshed and ready for the afternoon. I find it does help clear my thoughts and today, helps me finish off the draft letter before action.
3.00pm: A new client meets with my supervisor and me- they have a number of commercial issues that require our advice. It’s an interesting and complex set of issues and I am asked to take an attendance note of the meeting, which we’ll refer to when actioning our client’s instructions.
4.15pm: Debrief with my supervisor. Our new client’s immediate and most pressing requirement is responding to a letter purporting breach of contract and director’s duties. I am asked to begin drafting our client’s outline argument and research the relevant law for review tomorrow morning.
5.30pm: I make the amendments to the letter before action and submit it by e-mail to our international client for their approval. I am not likely to receive any approval to send the letter until the morning due to the differing time-zones.
6.00pm: I leave the office and head to Egham, Surrey where I have organised a five-a-side football match with my firm against a firm of accountants that we regularly meet with. After the match we head to the pub for a general catch-up, a few drinks and some food.