Take a seat: episode 4 - what to expect from a seat in commercial & intellectual property

In the fourth episode of Take a Seat, the Ashfords trainee podcast, host Bella sits down with three partners from our commercial & intellectual property team: Clare Jackman, Brian Farrell, and Suzie Miles.

The conversation offers a unique look at what it’s really like to complete a commercial seat at Ashfords, the work the team does, and the trainee experience. The episode shares insight into:

• The types of clients the Commercial & IP team supports, from tech innovators and software providers to renewable energy developers and major infrastructure operators.
• The day‑to‑day life of a trainee, including drafting, research, contract reviews, client interaction, courtroom exposure and project work.
• The soft skills trainees build, from commercial awareness and confidence in client meetings to networking, BD involvement, and collaboration across teams and offices.
• Their career paths into law, which range from more traditional routes to career changes and international experience.
• Candid “highlights and horrors” from their professional journeys, including surprise tribunal hearings, global enforcement work, high‑stakes infrastructure deals, and the occasional accidental “love you” to a client!