Trainee Solicitor (Investment Funds) | Mourant Ozannes (Jersey) LLP

What does a typical day look like for you? 

I begin my day by catching up on emails and outlining the tasks that need to be completed for the day ahead. This typically involves drafting various Jersey legal documents, such as board minutes and legal opinions, and reviewing documents governed by foreign law from a Jersey legal perspective. I attend board meetings and liaise with administrators in Jersey to address the needs of our mutual clients’ entities. Additionally, we have team meetings every couple of weeks to assess our progress and discuss technical updates affecting the industry.

How did you get your job? / What training, degree, education do you need? 

Following various work experience placements at Mourant during my university holidays as part of the firm’s bursary scheme, I was offered the role of paralegal within the investment funds team. I started working upon my graduation from the University of Warwick where I studied law, however Mourant welcome students graduating in a variety of subjects to work as paralegals. Currently, I am in my second year of studying the Jersey Law Course.

What are the most important skills needed for your role/job? 

Attention to detail is important to avoid errors in documents we are drafting and reviewing. Resilience is also helpful as we are often dealing with multiple matters on any given day which can be challenging to manage at times. 

Are there any future skills you will need to learn for your role? 

Notwithstanding that I’m currently studying the Jersey Law Course, I’ll need to continue expanding my knowledge of the Jersey law and regulation that relates to investment funds.  As I look to become more experienced upon qualifying as a solicitor, my confidence in communicating with our clients and developing business relationships will also improve.  

What is the best part of your job? / What motivates you in this role?

I enjoy the fast-paced transactional nature of the job and the fact that no day is the same. My motivation in the role derives from the wide range of clients we are instructed by and the exciting work projects that they undertake. My colleagues are supportive, and this team ethos leads us to providing the best service possible.

What advice would you give someone interested in a career in your profession? 

Undertaking work experience placements really helps you to decide whether a legal career is for you. In addition, being rotated through multiple practice areas enables you to get a diversified experience and ensure you are best placed within a law firm. The academic experience of graduating in law is not necessarily vital as there are so many transferable skills from other subjects, so I would recommend studying a course that really interests you.

What is on your bucket list and why?

I would like to take some time off following my exams to go travelling further afield, in particular to South America and Southeast Asia.