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Hear from our very own trainees

If you want to know what trainee life is like at Hugh James, you’re in the right place. Our trainees have recorded a series of short ‘HJ Trainee Talks’ videos where they explain their own personal experiences and share tips for future trainee solicitors.

They’ve spoken about how they got to be an HJ trainee, how to keep an open mind throughout your training while you decide what area of law you’d like to qualify into and how gaining work experience as a paralegal before becoming a trainee can be really beneficial.

We hope you find this insight useful. Drop us an email via the contact form if there are any topics you’d like our trainees to cover in our #HJTraineeTalks series.


Rebecca Morgan

Cardiff University Law Graduate, Rebecca Morgan, talks to us about her recent Summer Placement Scheme, and what made her realise that Hugh James was the place she wanted to start her legal career.


Seb Ombler

Future #HJTrainee Solicitor, Seb Ombler, talks about how he took part in the Hugh James Pro Bono Research Scheme at Cardiff University, and how it helped with his application when applying for a training contract.


Tom MacSwayne

Tom MacSwayne is currently sitting the first seat of his training contract at Hugh James. He talks to us about his journey to becoming a Trainee Solicitor, including pro-bono work he undertook whilst at University, and as a placement year student at Hugh James.


Olivia Evans

Having recently completed the Summer Placement Scheme at HJ, future trainee solicitor Olivia, talks about the recruitment process and what advice she would give for anyone applying for the HJ Training Contract in the future.


Matthew Chapman

Newly qualified solicitor, Matthew Chapman, tells us about his experience of life as a #HJTrainee and the opportunities he was given throughout his training contract and since qualifying as a solicitor. His advice to new trainees is to not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.


Megan James

Megan James tells us how she became a #HJTrainee in our London office. Having undertaken the Summer Placement scheme, Megan continued on to become our first London trainee, continuing our expansion and diversification in London.


Angharad Phillips

Supporting charities (aka our #HJHeroes) plays a big part in our day to day lives at Hugh James. Paralegal, Angharad Phillips, explains her involvement by volunteering for two charities that align with the department she works in.


Christie McCallum

In a competitive industry, graduates often feel the pressure to secure training contracts straight out of University. Trainee solicitor, Christie McCallum, explains how working as a paralegal first was great for development, making her a better trainee overall.


Maddie Allen

Maddie Allen explains why you should be open-minded when deciding on seats during your training contract and how our Careers team involves you in the selection process.


Anu Manda

While 2020 has been quite different for many trainee solicitors, Anu Manda explains how remote working in the pandemic has benefitted her training contract & helped develop her core skills.


Angharad Phillips

Angharad Phillips – a former Cardiff University student – explains how she went from graduate to training contract via our summer placement scheme.


Charlotte Werner

On the anniversary of her qualification, Charlotte Werner, Solicitor in our Military team, reflects on her 1st year as a lawyer – and what that looked like during a pandemic.

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