Tom Bexhell - Trainee Solicitor (June 2018 - January 2020)

Former Trainee Solicitor, Tom Bexhell, discusses why he chose to train with Martin Tolhurst Solicitors

Where and what did you study at University before you were accepted for a Training Contract with Martin Tolhurst Solicitors?

I completed my law degree at Canterbury university, and then completed my LPC at Bournemouth university.

What work had you done before you started your training, including work placements and voluntary work? Did your work experience prove useful?

After leaving university, I joined a national conveyancing firm, and spent over 2 years there working in various roles. This gave me my first insight into the property sector and helped me greatly in moving forward in my career.

When and why did you decide to become a solicitor with Martin Tolhurst Solicitors?

Whilst working as a fee earner at a different firm I contacted a number of reputable firms who I had professional dealings with, to see if they had any opportunities available. One of which was Martin Tolhurst., for which I was delighted to find out that they had a vacancy.

What does your typical day as a trainee solicitor look like?

My typical day as a trainee involved, assisting a recently qualified solicitor with their workload and learning from them as I went along through my training. Initially I was responding to emails, calls and drafting documents on behalf of the person supervising my work. Then as I progressed I was given more personal responsibilities with files and cases of my own.

What training and support do you receive whilst being a trainee solicitor?

In addition to the day to day help and support that I received from both the partner in my office and the other fee earners around me, Martin Tolhurst offered a great level of professional development and in house training. This would include a number of online training sessions, along with regular external training sessions carried out by both the partners and external experts on a wide range of topics.

What are the best bits about being a trainee at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors?

The best bit about training at Martin Tolhurst is that it is a very friendly working environment that really offers great training and development to all members of staff.