Choosing where to begin your legal career is one of the most important decisions you'll make. In this series, our trainee solicitors share their experiences of life at Porter Dodson, offering practical advice, insights into the training contract journey and an honest perspective on developing a career in law.
Whether you're considering applying for a training contract, exploring paralegal opportunities or preparing for the SQE route to qualification, these first-hand stories provide valuable guidance from those who have recently been in your position.
Building experience before my training contract
I joined Porter Dodson in June 2025 after completing an Undergraduate Degree in Law with Politics and spending four years working for a smaller specialist law firm.
I initially joined the firm as a part-time paralegal, working for Harriet Matthew in the Trusts team, headed by Clare Sanderson. During this time, I undertook an online preparation course with the University of Law for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. I sat SQE1 in January and SQE2 in July 2026.
I have now started a training contract with Porter Dodson, beginning my first seat in the Residential Property department under Nicola Hughes.
Studying for the SQE while working in practice
The transition from the LPC to the SQE is a much-discussed topic, and rightly so. From the first day of my preparation course through to the final client interview assessment, I found the process challenging and demanding in many of the ways discussed online. Nevertheless, it was an extremely rewarding experience, particularly because I had the opportunity to develop my professional competencies alongside my studies.
The SQE is designed to assess candidates against the competencies expected of a solicitor on day one of practice. My experience at the firm made preparing for this much easier. My team provided me with the support I needed to develop my own skills and also served as an example of great lawyers. As you grow in confidence in your ability to provide a high standard of service to clients in practice, that confidence naturally translates into your ability to demonstrate those same skills in an assessment setting.
A significant part of the SQE, for example, involves tailoring advice to the individual client, taking into account both the nature of the matter and the person receiving the advice. During my assessments, I was able to draw on many examples of Harriet adapting her approach to different clients and circumstances. Having seen these skills applied in practice gave me a valuable reference point during the assessments and, I believe, a genuine head start.
Support throughout the SQE journey
Throughout my studies, the firm organised a series of study workshops led by fee earners from a range of departments. These sessions covered key areas of the syllabus and provided an insight into what it is like to practise the different areas of law away from the textbooks.
Just as important was the personal support I received outside of the academic and professional aspects of the process. Catherine Snook, who also runs the SQE Success Hub outside of Porter Dodson, made a point of regularly checking in with us on a personal level. She recognised the pressure and difficulties that I, and many other SQE candidates, experienced throughout the process.
The workshops and wider support provided by the firm not only helped me prepare for the assessments, but also reinforced the collaborative culture at Porter Dodson and demonstrated the firm's commitment to supporting junior lawyers throughout their journeys.
Theo Brent, Trainee Solicitor
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