Life after Covid-19 – how are trainee solicitors adapting to a new way of working?

The advent of working from home has impacted a wide range of sectors, and law firms have not been spared. The Covid-19 pandemic has altered the way we think about work for the foreseeable and long-term future, as an increasing number of industries switch to remote working as a permanent arrangement. Although it was quickly put in place to deal with social distancing measures, many companies have found that these methods increase productivity and are often more convenient for their employees.

Nevertheless, although for seasoned regulars the switch to a home office will have been relatively smooth, this may not have been the case for trainee solicitors. For those undertaking their training contracts this year, their first professional experience in the legal sector will have invariably been carried out from behind a laptop screen, which has made for a different working and learning experience compared with firm’s previous cohorts.

There are various ways in which trainees have sought to make the most of their training contract, in spite of the circumstances. Although trainees might not be able to make the most of an in-office immersive experience at a law firm, there are still a range of skills to be developed as well as networking opportunities.

The home office

As has been the case for many working remotely, the lines between the workspace and the home have now been blurred. Many have found it difficult to confine themselves to perhaps just one room during the working day, especially during the strict lockdown period earlier in the pandemic.

This can be especially challenging at the start and end of the day, as there is no longer a commute to clearly delineate the work day. Instead, trainees have sought to find other ways to switch off at the end of the day – for example, going for a walk before and after logging on can bookend the day can help focus on the work to be done for the day.

Hogan Lovells’ UK training principal, Crispin Rapinet, has outlined their approach to the remote working environment. “As a firm, we have all adapted to the new remote working environment and many of these changes will prove permanent, even when our offices re-open fully. In some respects, it is easier for the new trainee cohort to adapt to remote working as they have never known a different working environment and many of them are embracing it enthusiastically.  However, the challenge for us is to ensure that the quality of training they receive is not diminished by remote working and they are provided with a broad range of opportunities to continue to learn and develop.  

Nevertheless, there are undeniable benefits to working remotely. Working to deadlines is more manageable from home, and being removed from a high-pressure office environment helps to put into perspective your well-being, encouraging regular breaks and prioritising working in a positive space.

Communication between colleagues

Starting out at a law firm as a trainee can often be quite daunting as you arrive at the office, but even more so when from behind a laptop. Some trainees have found that making the effort to reach out to different members of the firm for help has helped them to make their presence known and set a good impression. This will mean being proactive beyond meetings and catch ups with supervisors, perhaps through virtual networking sessions or morning coffee calls.

As has been the case across various professions, trainee solicitors have had to adapt quickly to using new software which has now become a staple of daily working life. From video conferencing software such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams to online workspaces such as Slack, being able to communicate effectively across different mediums has become a crucial part of a trainee’s skillset. 

“We are constantly partnering with supervisors and Partners to think of creative ways to replicate the office learning environment as closely as possible, through use of technology so the trainees are still able to gain valuable experience and learn from osmosis whilst working remotely", Crispin says. "We have also introduced a range of initiatives to increase connectedness and promote wellbeing to ensure our trainees are supported during this challenging time, especially as their supervisor is not physically present - and that involves increased effort and commitment on both sides.”

General well-being

Beyond professional purposes, keeping in constant contact with colleagues is also beneficial in that it creates a more positive working environment and limits the trainees’ level of isolation, especially during lockdown.

A training contract, throughout the seats it involves, will always be tough. Trainees working from home will have learnt to set themselves regular breaks and keep some time for themselves, as the workload piles up, especially given the legal ramifications of the spread of Covid-19 on various practice areas.

Working from home will have taken a mental toll on many in some way or another, so it’s also important to speak with supervisors and other trainees to get support.

Logistical changes at work

Ultimately, the law sector is highly likely to change dramatically in the near future, as Covid-19 has caused an upheaval in the way the professional world is run. The pandemic-related work restrictions will also mean that changes in the technologies used in the workplace will occur at a faster pace, while keeping up commercial awareness in these fast-changing times. 

The current cohort of trainee solicitors will be the first to fully bear the brunt of these shifts, and as such the ways in which they are quickly adapting to remote working will serve them in the future as they progress through their career in the industry.

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