In September 2024 for the first time, we welcomed placement year university students to our Bristol and Exeter offices, in partnership with Cardiff University and Exeter University.
The placement year gives third year university students an opportunity to join the firm in a paralegal role for approximately 10 months and experience work in a legal team, before going to back to university to complete their final year. As part of the scheme we offer students an additional opportunity - to apply for a training contract through the firm's internal route.
Molly Povey, a student from Cardiff University, has been placed within our real estate team. In a blog below, Molly shares her experience at Ashfords so far - including what a typical day looks like, the top skills learnt so far, and how the skills and experiences gained at Ashfords will support her with the final year of her degree.
Initially I was apprehensive about doing a placement, I think because generally it's not that common in a law degree. I attend Cardiff University who are one of the few universities that do offer law with a placement scheme so I felt I ought to explore the opportunity. I attended the Cardiff Law Fair where I met with several firms. There were a few firms who work in connection with my university to offer students placements, at the time Ashfords wasn't one of them. I met with three representatives from Ashfords who were very welcoming and approachable, allowing me to ask questions (maybe too many) about the firm and what an average day looked like.
After quizzing the representatives, I felt like I had found a firm who aligned with my values and somewhere I thought I could fit in well. I asked them if they offered a placement, which they didn’t at the time. However, this was the answer I expected as I had not seen it advertised anywhere. Yet, what wasn’t expected was the following kind act - a representative provided me with their personal email, encouraging me to reach out with my enquiry. I felt like that helpful act really sold the firm to me, I wasn’t a part of the team yet but I already felt valued which was the principal selling point for me. Therefore, when they did open the applications, I applied and accepted without hesitation, despite already having an offer from another firm.
Despite being here for approximately seven months I feel as though I don’t really have a typical day. There are things that reoccur, such as post-completion tasks. However, as I'm still learning I'm still completing new things daily. I have recently been given a lease file of my own, so at the minute things are very new and changing a lot. While initially a little intimidating, I appreciate the responsibility as I think this opportunity will help me progress as an aspiring solicitor.
Assisting on other team members' files has helped with gaining experience such as legal drafting and legal research. Handling my own matter has allowed me to develop things like maintaining client expectations and strengthening my organisational skills.
I have worked with almost every member of my team no matter their position, this has allowed me to develop my adaptability through learning the different ways each lawyer operates. I would say while I work with others to get transactions moving, we will all be tasked with different steps in the process to complete autonomously. However, when tasked with research I like to work with another junior member of my team as I think it's a key learning experience for us.
The one constant I have found during my placement is a little afternoon stroll I take during my lunch. The location of the Bristol office is definitely a perk.
One thing which surprised me when I joined Ashfords was the weight placed on team building and volunteering. Within my second week at the firm we took part in a wine tasting social with the entire real estate department. I've found experiences such as this crucial to establish my personality in my team, including networking with colleagues from the other offices. In January, the firm also gave me the opportunity to volunteer to improve St Mungo's Hillside hostel in South Bristol, where I spent the day painting the main living area alongside other Ashfords colleagues.
However my favourite experience would be the team nights we have, we recently went to the bar Flight Club as a team. I found this really important as it allows you to speak to members of the team that you don’t always speak to - allowing you to spend time with your colleagues in a different environment, one that is not so fast paced.
While this isn’t a specific experience, I would say my favourite thing about doing this placement is the friends I have made from it. It's so different to university where everybody has different levels of interest and motivation but I can safely say each of my colleagues have motivated me to do better. Coming to the office and working with people of a similar age to me, who are so dedicated and ambitious, has really inspired me. I think surrounding yourself with the right people is really important in life, and I think that is the most valuable thing I have learnt from my time at Ashfords.
The top three things I have learnt is the importance of a proactive approach, the importance of communication and how to conduct legal research effectively.
I quickly learnt how fast your workload can build up, especially if you repeatedly think ‘oh I will do that later on’. You can blink and then it's later, and you have to do it all at once. You have to try and balance your priorities. For example, if something is not urgent right now but will only take you five minutes, I’ve found it best practice to get it done as soon as you receive it. This avoids any missed deadlines or delays.
I think the communication is incorporated and fundamental to the proactive approach mentioned above. At first I felt apprehensive to admit that I wouldn't be able to complete a task by its given deadline. From reflecting on my months with Ashfords I have learnt that honestly is the best policy, especially from the outset. Even just messaging a colleague to reassure them you have received their email but have a heavy workload so it may take you longer to get back to them. Being open is key.
Lastly, another essential skill I have honed in is my ability to conduct legal research. I had previously conducted some research during my degree but being set a real world problem question and using your skills to help a client progress in their transaction is very rewarding.
Prior to my job as a paralegal at Ashfords, I had never worked a full time job before and with complete honesty the routine is very different to my very flexible routine at university. So firstly, I think my organisational and time management skills have improved massively. I hope to go back to my final year with a more structured approach.
I think in university it can be quite easy to doubt your capabilities due to a lack of experience of the practical aspects of law. However, coming into the role and getting the experience of client interaction, legal drafting and even communicating effectively with my team has instilled a very comfortable level of confidence in me. It has encouraged me to keep working hard because I now believe the reward of being a solicitor is worth it. My experience here has only intensified my aim to become a solicitor.
I appreciate you will approach the application/interview with nerves but I think the most important thing that Ashfords is looking for is your willingness to grow. Always be looking to try new things and broaden your apprehension.
Our placement applications for 2025 are currently closed and will reopen in spring 2026, which will be advertised by Cardiff University and Exeter University. Applicants will be required to submit a CV and a short covering letter via the university, which will then be reviewed by our talent attraction team. If your application is shortlisted, you'll be invited to attend an interview with us.
If you’d like to discuss the placement year scheme at Ashfords, or our other routes into law with the firm, please contact talentattraction@ashfords.co.uk and a member of our team will be in contact.
