🎙 Trainee Solicitor Insights from George Grammer-Taylor at Clyde & Co

Hi there! 👋

In this article, Chirag Morar speaks to George Grammer-Taylor, a trainee solicitor at Clyde & Co about his unconventional route into law, his training seats so far, and any advice he would give to aspiring solicitors.

Can you tell us about your background and journey into law?👨‍⚖️

My journey to law was anything but conventional. After I finished my A-levels, I enrolled in university. However, the financial demands of the university were more than I could manage. I made the decision to leave after a few months and join British Airways as a Cabin Crew for two years, before being promoted and serving as a Customer Service Manager for another year and a half.

After three years at British Airways, I felt ready to revisit my academic aspirations. I applied to UCAS as a mature student and was accepted into law at the University of Sussex. Despite a four-year gap in academic writing and research, I graduated with a First Class Law degree and was awarded the First Generational Scholar Award for achieving a top average mean amongst my law intake.

During my studies, I was fortunate to connect with up-Reach, a charity that supports students from socially mobile backgrounds. With their guidance, I secured Legal Internships and Vacation Schemes with at Goldman Sachs, Slaughter and May, and Clyde & Co.

In 2021, I accepted a training contract at Clyde & Co, where I’m currently a Trainee Solicitor. The firm is a leader in the Insurance Sector and has a world-renowned Aviation practice, which particularly resonated with me and my experiences in the Aviation Sector.

Could you tell us about the seats you’ve completed so far?🪑

First Seat - Amicus ALJ: My legal career began with a pro bono secondment at Amicus ALG, a charity that helps secure equal access to justice for those facing the death penalty in the United States. My work was mainly remote, providing US assistance, and I had the opportunity to support a client in person in the US towards the end of my trainee seat. I also participated in events and keynote talks in person in the UK. This work was very interesting and impactful. Something I’ll probably keep with me for the rest of my life. So much so that I still volunteer with them in my spare time, including running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October to fundraise for them.

Second Seat - International Travel Claims: My second seat was in Catastrophic Injury and Large Loss, sat within the team of International & Travel Claims. Essentially, my matters were when incidents occurred abroad and I worked closely with insurance companies and the insured to assist them with their matter. 

Third Seat - Lawyers PI: I currently sit in the Lawyers Professional Indemnity team and assist the team in a variety of cases that assist with commercial reputation and regulatory issues facing legal professionals.

What challenges have you faced as a trainee at an international law firm? 😃

Multitasking and Balancing Workload: As a trainee, you are encouraged to take on substantial work and responsibility. This can be particularly challenging when you're new and still adapting to the firm's pace.

The International Aspect: The global nature of my work is complex. During my international secondment, I came across legal frameworks entirely different from what I studied at university. Similarly, in my second seat, I collaborated with teams in France, and Spain, and conducted legal research for incidents in Asia Pacific. Adapting to these different international frameworks is an ongoing learning process for me.

Maintaining Work-Life Balance: Clyde & Co is award-winning for its promotion and support for colleagues’ work-life balance, and it is important to ensure that you develop personal boundaries. I have learnt the importance of self-awareness and knowing when to step away and ‘close the laptop’. Training at Clyde & Co allows me to thrive and the firm encourages and provides the necessary support for you to succeed.

Based on your experience, what advice would you give to students applying for training contracts or vacation schemes in the upcoming cycle? ✍️

Be yourself: I’ve always said this. It’s not about comprising who you are for law firms. There is beauty in being authentic in who you are. Firms are looking for real people with diverse experiences and personalities. For example, I’m quite eccentric and charismatic, and it means I’ve made connections and lifelong friends from just being me. Remember, you want to be hired by a firm that appreciates the authentic you.

Start Early: It is never too early to begin gaining experience in the legal field. During my first year, I immersed myself in legal experiences, and it helped me decide what I wanted to do. For instance, participating in mooting competitions made me realise early on that I didn’t want to be a barrister. Take advantage of law firm open days and legal volunteering positions.

Any last words of wisdom you’d like to share with aspiring lawyers?🪄

Don't let 'What if' hold you back. If you don’t apply to things, then you’ll always have that regret. If you are thinking about applying for something, just go for it. It's better to try and get a result than to never try at all.

Remember, someone always has to be first. If you're a first-generation professional like me, by pursuing your goals, you're creating change and opening doors for those who'll come after you.

Hope you enjoyed this article!