Life as a Taunton Trainee

I have been based in the Taunton office for the first seat of my training contract and I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have spent here so far. I was initially nervous about being based in Taunton, as I was moving to the south-west from Essex and I knew very little about the area. I was also worried that being in a smaller office I wouldn’t get as much variety in the work I was given.

However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Working in the Commercial Property department I have been exposed to a wide range of work, from large scale developments to portfolio management for private clients. The work is not restricted to the south-west either, as I have been involved with matters across the country. I have found the matters I have worked on challenging and interesting, and have enjoyed the wide assortment of property law I have been involved with.

The Taunton office has also offered me an excellent learning environment as I work directly with Partners, Associates and Solicitors who all have wide ranging and varied experience. This has definitely helped my personal development as a trainee.

The atmosphere of the Taunton office is undoubtedly one of the best features being a trainee here. Being smaller than the Exeter office, it is a lot easier to get to know people in different departments. From my first day, I felt welcomed not only into the Commercial Property department but the office as a whole. Everyone is friendly and approachable, and I felt instantly part of the team.

The Taunton office also offers a good work life balance. Although this varies seat to seat and is dependent on the work load of the team, it tends to balance out well. It is also incredibly sociable. Despite not being located in the centre of Taunton, there are often work meals and nights out which are well attended by the whole office.

Being a trainee in the Taunton office has  enabled me to get involved with various charity and CSR events. I was part of a team that completed a 7 mile night hike for local charities, and have coordinated some of the Charity of the Year projects in the office, including the charity festive hamper raffle.

Working in the Taunton office has been an excellent start to my career with Ashfords. It has given me a variety of work, a great sociable atmosphere and confidence going forward with my training contract.