Aidan Wright won a summer placement through the University of Strathclyde's Mooting Society competition. He kindly answered questions about his experience at the firm.
What draws your interest to pursuing a career in law?
I've always been drawn to a career in law because it would allow me to work with and assist people, which has always been an interest of mine. I believe that the legal field gives me a great opportunity to do so in a busy, exciting environment. I’m excited by the prospect of being faced with a new challenge every day and having to think on my feet, adapt, and solve problems as they appear.
What motivated you to apply for a summer placement at MSHB?
I took part in the internal mooting competition at Strathclyde University and fortunately won. MSHB sponsored the event and the prize for winning was a summer placement with the firm. The summer placement was a really strong motivation to put all my efforts into winning the competition as experience at such an exciting firm is incredibly hard to come by.
What is your experience like as a summer placement at MSHB?
My experience throughout the week has been extremely positive. I’ve always imagined that a law firm would be an intimidating environment, however, everyone has been really friendly, supportive and welcoming. Everyone has been very accommodating, finding things for me to do which has made me feel involved with the daily business of the firm. I’ve found everything really interesting and exciting and everyone has been more than happy to help me or answer any of my questions. It’s been great to get to experience a different department of the firm each day. It has allowed me to gain an insight into the variety of the legal work the firm undertakes.
Can you share one new thing you learned during your placement?
I learned how a busy firm operates on a daily basis and how each person’s role within the firm helps achieve good results for their clients. As an aspiring solicitor, it has been interesting to learn what a solicitor’s daily working life actually looks like.
Which key skill do you believe is essential for a lawyer but cannot be learned from a book?
I believe communication is an essential skill for a lawyer which cannot be learned from a book. I have noticed in my week here that a huge part of a solicitor’s job is talking to clients, either over the phone or face to face and how vital it is to be able to communicate effectively with the client.
What advice do you have for students interested in pursuing a summer placement?
Definitely do it. This has been a fantastic experience, which I am incredibly grateful for and I would recommend it to any student who wants to gain experience and insight. Also, I would say not to get discouraged by rejections because I had lots! I can’t comment on any other placements at other firms, but MSHB has been a great fit for me. I’ve really enjoyed the experience and I would recommend it to any law students looking to gain experience over the summer.
At Miller Samuel Hill Brown, we strive to make a real difference by offering aspiring lawyers valuable opportunities for practical, hands-on work experience that equips them for a successful career in law. If Aidan has inspired you, we are currently accepting applications for the 2024 placement. Discover more here.
