Connor studied for an LLB at the University of Nottingham and then completed an LLM at the University of Law before joining Winston Taylor as a trainee solicitor
Why did you decide on a career in law?
It's a cliché, but growing up I always enjoyed debating (and arguing), and that is what first drew me to law. I was also attracted to working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. I am at my best when I am kept busy and enjoy pushing myself to take on new challenges. Law offers exactly that, and there is always an opportunity to develop and test yourself. That early interest in debating is also why I have gravitated towards contentious work rather than non-contentious.
Why did you choose to train with Winston Taylor?
I applied to a number of firms during my training contract search, but Winston Taylor was the one whose values aligned most closely with my own. What stood out was the balance it strikes between a genuinely friendly and welcoming culture and the quality of work on offer. The firm acts for some of the largest companies in the world, as well as high net worth individuals, so you get exposure to complex and interesting matters from an early stage.
It offered the best of both worlds, a supportive environment in which to develop, combined with challenging, high-calibre work.
Tell us about your training contract. What does this involve?
My first seat was in employment, my second in disputes and investigations, and I am about to move into contentious construction.
In both of my previous seats I was fully integrated into the team and given plenty of client-facing time. In my current seat I primarily work on three large matters and then pick up ad hoc tasks across the wider team as needed.
What tasks do you complete on a typical day?
For one of my main matters I am responsible for reviewing all of the previous day's correspondence and emailing a summary of the outstanding work to the team. This helps everyone keep track of what is happening elsewhere and stay on top of their own tasks.
After that I normally pick up work on my other matters or assist with ad hoc tasks across the wider team.
My day-to-day work includes typical trainee responsibilities such as research and document review, but I have also been trusted to take on more complex tasks such as drafting. I attend weekly catch-up meetings with clients and have had the opportunity to speak at those meetings to explain the work we have carried out.
What do you enjoy about being a trainee solicitor?
The work is genuinely interesting. A number of the cases I have been involved in over the past few months have been referenced in the Financial Times, which gives you a real sense of the significance of what you are working on. The work is both challenging and enjoyable, and I find that the more you get involved, the more interesting it becomes.
Litigation also suits my personality, I really enjoy the strategic element of managing a case, thinking through the different options and working out the best approach for the client.
What are the challenges?
I think for most careers the biggest challenge is the adjustment from university to working a job. I was fortunate that I worked for two years after university before starting my training contract, which made that transition much smoother.
The workload from the SQE also helped, as it taught me to manage my time effectively, which is something that feeds directly into good time management in practice.
What three qualities are important for a career in law?
Confidence. Being confident when speaking to both colleagues and clients makes a real difference, and having the confidence to volunteer for more complex work will help you progress more quickly.
Flexibility. You will regularly come across tasks you have not done before, so the ability to adapt, work out how something is done, and welcome constructive criticism along the way is key.
Time management. You will always have multiple tasks on the go, so being able to prioritise and manage your workload is essential.
Can you debunk a myth about working as a solicitor?
That partners are not approachable. In my experience, everyone I have worked with across all levels has been friendly and eager to take the time to explain things. If you show genuine interest, people recognise it and will go out of their way to help you.
Tell us about an issue that is currently affecting the sector or your firm.
The unpredictability in the markets we and our clients operate in. Modern markets have been turbulent, and recently global geopolitical events have had a significant impact. Domestically, we have had seven prime ministers in the last ten years, each bringing policy changes that affect the business landscape. On the wider stage, the closure of shipping lanes, wars, and tariffs have all created uncertainty for clients and the firms that advise them. The law firms that can adjust the quickest, or even stay ahead of these trends, will be the most successful.
What are your career ambitions?
I am taking it one step at a time, but my first target is to complete my training contract and hopefully join Winston Taylor's disputes and investigations team.
Looking further ahead, I am interested in completing the higher rights of audience qualification, as I would like to explore advocacy opportunities, particularly in arbitration. Above all, I want to continue working on the largest and most complex matters the firm has to offer.
What advice can you give to other aspiring solicitors?
Perseverance is the most important thing. I needed a few application cycles before I secured a training contract, and the average qualification age keeps going up. If you do not get a training contract one year, do not be discouraged, continue to:
attend events
complete virtual schemes to demonstrate your interest and strengthen your applications
seek out legal work experience.
Even working a part-time job gives you transferable skills and content to draw on in your applications and interview.
