A Day in the Life of a Sports Trainee Solicitor

Feb 11, 2018

Written By Billy Sexton, Editor, AllAboutLaw.co.uk

Katy Bourne is a first year trainee at Mills & Reeve. Currently undertaking a seat in the firm’s sports team, Katy deals with Premier League clubs, footballers and sports agents on a daily basis! Here’s a day in the life...

8:30

As I live in the Northern Quarter of Manchester, it is only a 10 minute stroll into our city centre office. Having grabbed a coffee on my way in, the first few minutes of the day are spent on social media sites catching up on the latest sporting developments overnight. (Yes, reading football websites and Twitter really is part of our job!)

9:00

My supervisor has just arrived and pulls me to one side to discuss a new case being heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Partner in my team is frequently appointed as an Arbitrator at CAS so we are always guaranteed an influx of exciting new work.

This particular case is about a sprinter who has been suspended from athletics for a doping violation. It is my job to review the submissions by the parties, summarise the key issues to be resolved and prepare a suggested solution to discuss with the Partner. Even during my Training Contract I get to undertake the work of an Arbitrator!

11:30

I head to a meeting with the Partner and an agent who is looking to sue a former client of his (a national rugby player) over unpaid agency fees. Having taken a note of the meeting, I prepare an attendance note upon returning to the office and draft an initial letter to the other side to apply some pressure.

13:00

The other trainees and I pop out and grab a bite at lunchtime. There are loads of great eateries around but today we decide to go for pizza.

13:45

The transfer window always brings with it interesting work and today is no exception. We are informed by a Premier League football club that they have agreed a transfer for a player and we are asked to draft the transfer agreement, employment contract and image rights agreement for the player involved. Due to the nature of football transfers everything has to be completed in a matter of days - so the pressure is on.

16:15

Another meeting, this time our client is a Premier League footballer who is embroiled in a dispute over his image rights. Unlike most other national law firms, trainees at Mills & Reeve are exposed to plenty of client contact.

After a session with a Mediator the issue is resolved, with minimum cost to the client. It is a fantastic result that guarantees to win us more work in the future with his teammates.

18:00

After a hard day’s work, what better way to unwind that with a cocktail in the Alchemist (a Mancunian staple). As a member of the Social Committee I have organised pay day drinks and a trip to the Comedy Store. The work-life balance here is second to none and we have all become firm friends so it is great to catch up have fun.

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