15 hour days and “being sent to buy lingerie on the weekend”: trainee solicitors reveal what life at big law firm is really like.
Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) has had the confidence to leave its official graduate Twitter account — @LifeinaLawFirm — under the control of its trainees. The result is a refreshingly honest stream of insights…
Happy Monday!
A nearly 15 hour day of bundling to start the week was not what I had in mind! #thankgodforcaffeine
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) January 13, 2014
Another great start to the week!
Another Monday, another 37 page Judgment. Who said lawyers don't get time to read? #timeforthateyetest
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) May 19, 2014
Still, at least there is the opportunity to travel.
En route to the exotic location that is Rochdale after a #middleofthenight 5am wake-up…the glamorous life of a trainee solicitor.
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) December 6, 2013
Meanwhile, back in the office.
just been told trial bundles are arriving at 8 tonight meaning "have you got any evening plans?" #allnighter
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) February 26, 2014
The heavy workloads continue.
Today's workload feels a little like an April Fools' Day joke #shouldIlaughorcry
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) April 1, 2014
Outside? What’s that?
The sun is out and I REALLY want a pint #notlikely #whatdoessunonskinfeellike?
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) April 9, 2014
Under such circumstances, you do begin to wonder about the personality of your boss.
The new trainee business blog post has me suspiciously considering my colleagues #isyourbossapsychopath?
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) April 10, 2014
And to think, senior lawyers’ behaviour had all once seemed such a laugh.
Trainees being sent to buy lingerie on the weekend? Must be the #TraineeXmasVideo again! #embarrassing
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) November 28, 2012
Alongside tiredness comes anxiety…
You know you're anxious about something at work when you have a dream about not being prepared for your French GCSE oral. #notsosweetdreams
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) May 1, 2014
…and mouth ulcers.
This mouth ulcer is really starting to affect my ability to work. Can anyone think of a suitable personal injury claim? #sorryformyself
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) May 20, 2014
No wonder the novelty of the flash office has begun to wear off.
I love this view but when it's this sunny it is torture #closetheblinds #sunglassesattheready pic.twitter.com/kIsBZAWrp9
— Life in a Law Firm (@LifeinaLawFirm) May 15, 2014
In fairness to RPC, @LifeInALawFirm does contain plenty of positive reflections, too, detailing, for example, the buzz trainees experience when they are handed increased responsibility, alongside the generally pretty fun and boozy social schedule of solicitors-to-be.
Unlike most law firm graduate Twitter accounts, it’s definitely worth a follow.