Miller Samuel Hill Brown is excited to announce the addition of three talented individuals to our Trainee Programme: Emily Duff, Caitlin Barnes, and Eva Kennedy. Over the next two years, these trainees will work directly alongside our experienced practitioners, rotating in at least three different departments. This opportunity is designed to equip them with the essential knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to kick-start their careers in law.
We recently had the chance to sit down with our new trainees to learn more about their journeys, aspirations, and what they hope to achieve during their time with us. Here's what they had to share:
What drew you to Miller Samuel Hill Brown?
Caitlin Barnes: During my time at university, I had initially planned to pursue a career in a different industry after graduating. However, I was fortunate enough to undertake a summer placement with Miller Sammual Hill Brown. Experiencing first-hand the reality of legal practice completely shifted my perspective. It gave me an insight into the fast-paced, intellectually challenging and varied nature of the work, as well as the supportive and collaborative culture within the firm. That experience motivated me to continue my studies and complete my Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. Having thoroughly enjoyed my time with the firm over the summer, I was absolutely delighted to be offered a traineeship, and I am excited to start my legal career here, where my interest in practising law first began.
Emily Duff: I was seeking a professional environment with approachable colleagues. There is a breadth of knowledge available at the firm, and a structured traineeship will allow me to gain insight into different areas of law, with expert guidance. Many members of staff have been at the firm for a long time, and I felt this was an important reflection of the work environment.
Eva Kennedy: I was immediately drawn to Miller Samuel Hill Brown for its strong reputation and expertise in a variety of practice areas that closely align with my own interests. The three-seat rotation structure of the traineeship stood out to me as it offers the opportunity to gain valuable experience across different areas of law. Spending eight months in each seat means you can follow cases or transactions from start to finish, which helps you develop a deeper understanding of the work involved. Combining this with the firm's commitment to high-quality work and supportive training, it was clear to me that MSHB was the best place to begin my legal career.
What excites you most about your role?
Caitlin Barnes: I am most excited about the opportunity to continually develop my practical knowledge and skills across different areas of law. Although university provided a strong foundation in legal theory, I have already found that there is a completely different depth of understanding that comes from applying that knowledge to real-life situations.
Every day brings something new to learn, and I find it really rewarding to see how my work contributes to helping clients. I am also looking forward to building relationships with colleagues and learning from their experience, as I think there is a huge amount of professional growth that comes from working alongside and observing experienced solicitors in practice.
Emily Duff: The variety that comes with every day, and knowing I have helped our clients through a very important and often difficult time in their lives. Knowing I have helped the client plan for their future or eased the burden of handling a deceased's estate is incredibly fulfilling. We are often faced with varying and unique situations, and being able to draw upon our knowledge and tailor our advice to the specific client helps make every day different and exciting.
Eva Kennedy: I am currently in Licensing for my first seat, where I have gained experience in drafting and lodging applications, client contact and attending meetings. Each day brings something new, which adds to the excitement and variety of my role. Licensing is a niche area of law that isn't typically taught at university, which has made gaining practical insight into it especially engaging. One of the most interesting parts so far has been accompanying colleagues to Licensing Board Hearings. Here, I have been able to observe solicitors pitch their clients' applications to the Licensing Board and learn how they navigate challenging questions from board members. As I progress through my traineeship, I may have the opportunity to conduct a Board Hearing myself, and although this appears daunting, I am excited and keen to embrace the challenge.
What have you found most challenging so far in your training, and how have you handled it?
Caitlin Barnes: The biggest challenge so far has been managing feelings of imposter syndrome. Moving from an academic setting, where you mostly work on hypothetical problems, to a professional environment where your work has real-world implications for clients is a big adjustment. At first, it can feel daunting to be trusted with tasks that matter. However, it has been reassuring to see that everyone, no matter their level of expertise, regularly relies on research, discussion, and collaboration to find answers. Realising that it is completely normal not to know everything right away has helped me take a more positive approach to new tasks. Instead of seeing them as a test, I now see them as opportunities to learn and improve, which has made me feel more confident in my role.
Emily Duff: I have reassigned my training contract from another firm, so adjusting to the new pace and environment has been the biggest challenge. I have been thoroughly supported so far, and all of my colleagues have been open and willing to answer my many questions. There is a lot to learn, but I am excited to expand my knowledge further to ensure I can provide the best possible advice to our clients.
Eva Kennedy: It has been challenging getting to grips with new systems and processes, particularly when faced with unfamiliar tasks. While this can feel overwhelming initially, I have found it helpful to take clear notes and create my own reference guides that I can revisit when needed. This approach has made it easier to retain information and has boosted my confidence in handling similar tasks independently. While it may seem simple, learning multiple new processes at once can make it easy to forget small details if you don't write them down. For me, it has also been extremely helpful to have a great team who I can ask for guidance.
What do you hope to gain from your next seat, and how does it fit into your broader career goals?
Caitlin Barnes: I am currently sitting in the Employment team, which was one of my top choices, and I have really enjoyed starting my traineeship here. It has been fascinating to see how the law applies to everyday workplace situations, and I have enjoyed being involved in a mix of contentious work. Looking ahead, I would like to gain some experience in advocacy during my next seat. I had limited opportunities to practise advocacy during university, and while it is something I feel slightly nervous about, I am also very eager to give it a go. I think having the chance to develop my confidence in that environment will be an invaluable experience. It will also help me build a clearer picture of which area of law I might be best suited to specialise in as I progress in my career.
Emily Duff: Further exposure to other areas of law and gain an understanding of how the departments can work together to ensure the interests of the client are fulfilled. My aim is to be able to broadly answer all questions a client might have, even if they relate to another area of law I am not necessarily an expert in.
Eva Kennedy: In my next seat, I hope to further develop my advocacy skills. I first gained advocacy experience during the Diploma and really enjoyed the challenge of presenting arguments clearly and persuasively. I am eager to build on this foundation, and despite not yet knowing what type of law I wish to specialise in, I feel these skills will help make me a well-rounded lawyer. Not only this, but I hope to continue developing core skills such as drafting, legal research and client communication.
I am also looking forward to gaining exposure to a different area of law and experiencing how different departments approach legal problems. This fits into my long-term goal of being in a role that allows me to work closely with clients and represent their interests effectively.
Do you have any tips or recommendations for recent graduates or those looking to start their traineeship?
Caitlin Barnes: I would encourage anyone interested in pursuing a traineeship to get as much experience as possible within legal settings. Whether through summer placements, part-time roles during university, or other opportunities within law firms. Even short-term or informal experience can be incredibly valuable. It not only helps you build practical skills and confidence but also gives you a sense of the different types of work and areas of law you might enjoy. It can also make the transition from studying to practice much smoother, as you become familiar with the working environment of a firm. Most importantly, don't be discouraged if the path isn't straightforward. Persistence really does pay off, and every bit of experience helps shape you into a stronger candidate.
Emily Duff: Research the firms you are applying to and decide what type of work environment is important to you. Try to have an idea as to the area of law you find interesting, but be open to experiencing as much as you can. No knowledge is bad knowledge, and you may find yourself enjoying an area you had never previously considered. You get out what you put in, so try to ask as many questions as possible.
Eva Kennedy: To those looking for a traineeship— before applying to any firm, I think it is worth taking the time to thoroughly research it—make sure the firm is somewhere you can really see yourself working. In particular, what areas of law they specialise in and if you would prefer to do a fixed-seat traineeship or rotate through multiple seats. The more aligned your goals are with the firm's work, the more naturally your passion to work there will come across in your application and interview.
I would also recommend gaining some admin experience before starting your traineeship. Strong admin skills are a key part of being an effective trainee, and experience in this area can give you a valuable head start. For me, one of my greatest concerns was not having enough legal work experience. However, many non-law-related roles provide transferable skills which are highly regarded by employers. Don't underestimate the relevance of these experiences; they can significantly strengthen your application.
Lastly, to recent graduates with a traineeship - don't be afraid to ask for help. From my experience, everyone is always more than happy to offer guidance and support.
We are delighted to have Emily, Caitlin, and Eva on board as they embark on this exciting journey with Miller Samuel Hill Brown. Their passion and enthusiasm are sure to make a positive impact on our firm.
For more information about our Trainee Programme, visit: Miller Samuel Hill Brown Careers.
