Team stories

What our current trainees say…

In early 2023 our trainees took part in The Legal 500 Future Lawyers Trainee Solicitor Survey and we were delighted to be winners in three categories of the 2023 – 2024 edition, receiving rosettes for Quality of Work, Inclusiveness and Social Life.

“I have had a fantastic start to my training contract at Steele Raymond. Each team has been so welcoming and I love the sense of community at the firm. I have already been exposed to a variety of work and have been given the opportunity to learn from so many knowledgeable colleagues. Steele Raymond offers a variety of seat options and I am excited to move around the firm to gain further insight into other specialist areas.”

– Abba Atkin, Trainee (started her Training Contract Sept 23)

What our trainee programme alumni say…

“My training at Steele Raymond was phenomenal. I was consistently supported and mentored, with regular opportunities to review my work with my supervisors. I enjoyed receiving increased responsibility with each new seat and having the opportunity to work closely with so many talented colleagues.”

– Amy Baugh, Solicitor (Admitted Sept ’21)

“I thoroughly enjoyed my training contract at Steele Raymond. For me the best part has to be the people who create such a friendly and supportive working environment. When I put forward ideas I know they will be listened to.”

 – Jessica Wade, Solicitor (Admitted Sept ’21)

“The Training Programme at Steele Raymond is fantastic. The firm as a whole, and not just the team that you are in, are consistently approachable and willing to help you no matter what level you are at.”

– Roisin Fisher, Associate Solicitor (Admitted Mar ’20)

“Steele Raymond is a friendly, family orientated firm, there is no obvious hierarchy and I am delighted to have completed my training contract here.”

– Sophie Rice, Solicitor (Admitted Sept ’23)

“The people at SR really do make the training contract special. The partners, my fellow trainees and colleagues are approachable, friendly and always a happy to help. If I was to compare the lawyer I was when I was training with the one I am now, the improvement I see in myself staggers me.”

– Taylor Anderson, Solicitor (Admitted Mar ’22)

“The best part of the training contract is the responsibility and trust that is given to you. I helped with large transactions and I liked how everyone at the firm will take their time to explain every aspect of a deal, so you know exactly what is going on and how the work you are doing fits into the transaction.”

– Zaeem Mughal, Solicitor (Admitted Apr ’21)

My journey so far…

My journey from Placement Student – Amy Baugh, Solicitor, Family team

During my law degree at Bournemouth University, I was given the fantastic opportunity to join the firm for my placement year. I was instantly impressed by the friendly and supportive environment that the firm has to offer, with a true focus on collaboration. There were a plethora of individuals at the firm who had (have) been here for the majority, or even entirety, of their careers and it was clear why. The assistance that I received during the year, including partners taking the time to sit down and compare draft letters with me, to attending networking events to commence building my presence in the area, were invaluable.

I was therefore thrilled to be offered a training contract at the firm and subsequently a position as a solicitor in the Family team. My training was tailored to my longstanding wish to work in the Family team, including seats in Dispute Resolution and Residential Property, both of which have provided me with additional litigation skills and transactional knowledge to better support my work in the Family law field. I have also had the opportunity to be part of the firm’s ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) committee, which is something I am very passionate about and enables me to make a real and meaningful contribution to the future of the firm and better understand the management structure.

What do you love about Steele Raymond? I feel very lucky to be part of a firm that balances maintaining an outstanding reputation with the feel of a smaller, friendlier family firm, with plenty of opportunities for socialising and a focus on wellbeing. It truly feels that everyone in the firm is completely approachable and willing you to succeed.

Funniest moment at Steele Raymond? There were many on the trainee pod but accidentally firing an elastic band at the then Managing Partner was comic timing at its best.

Beach or countryside? Beach. I am fully addicted to sea swimming.

Early bird or night owl? Depends if it is a school night or not!

Why Steele Raymond? The moment I stepped into Steele Raymond in 2015, I knew it was the firm I wanted to work at.  What stood out for me was the positive atmosphere and friendly charm.  That feeling is still the same, even after years of working here.

My journey from Legal Secretary – Rosanna Parker, Senior Associate, Commercial Property team

I studied French and Spanish at the University of Leicester and then went on to do the Graduate Diploma in Law at Bournemouth University.  I then decided I wanted to become a solicitor, so studied the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Guildford.  After studying for the LPC, I spent a few years in Manchester working as a paralegal in the Real Estate team at a large international law firm.  When I decided I wanted to return to the beautiful South Coast, I was fortunate to be offered a job at Steele Raymond.  I started as a secretary in the Commercial Property Team and then soon after I became the firm’s first paralegal.  I was offered a training contract on Christmas Eve, which felt like the best Christmas present ever!  I am now over five years qualified, working in a team of talented and like-minded people.

What do you love about Steele Raymond? Although the firm is growing at a fast rate, I love that you don’t feel like just another cog in the wheel.  Everyone is valued in the firm, no matter what role you are in. I think this is what helps make the positive and supportive culture that we have here.  One of my favourite things about working here is the team – they are a lovely bunch of people.  Being a solicitor in a very busy team does not come without its stresses but having a fun team around you always lifts the mood and brings a smile to your face. I am proud to be a part of Steele Raymond and look forward to progressing my career further with this great firm.

Funniest moment at Steele Raymond: When I taught our Head of Commercial Property to do a box jump whilst he was wearing a suit. He managed to do it one the second try but badly grazed his shin!

Beach or countryside? I love living next to the beach but I also enjoy the fresh air of the countryside – Dorset thankfully has both!  I also dream of swimming in the clear shallow waters of the beaches in Thailand!

Early bird or night owl? I’m definitely an early bird – I always make sure to do my yoga practice or a quick beach walk before work in the mornings! That said – I love a weekend lie-in!

My journey from Placement Student – Shaun Guppy, Partner, Corporate team

In 2011 during my third year of university I was fortunate enough to secure a 12-month work placement with the firm.  Even at such an early stage in my legal journey, I wasn’t tied to a photocopier and was instead immersed in a wide variety of client matters across multiple practice areas including Corporate & Commercial, Private Client and Dispute Resolution. My placement gave me the confidence and drive that I was hoping for to pursue a career as a solicitor. Off the back of my time with the firm, I was welcomed back in 2014 to start my training contract.

I qualified as an Assistant Solicitor in the Corporate Team in May 2016 having undertaken seats in the Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Property and Dispute Resolution.  My aim from day one was to try and become a well-rounded adviser with a real focus on providing our clients with good quality legal advice, with an unrivalled degree of commercial awareness.  Since 2016, I have been promoted three times, firstly to Associate in 2019. Then to Senior Associate in 2020 – in the midst of the pandemic which demonstrated to me there are no bars to progression within the firm. Latterly, I was very proud to be promoted to Partner in April 2023.

What do you love about Steele Raymond? Steele Raymond LLP is truly made by its people.  From inspirational individuals to supportive and inclusive teams who are specialists in their respective fields. The mentorship and support I have received during my time here has contributed greatly to my development and successes as a lawyer.  I have been trusted to take an increasingly active role in the operation of both my team and the business as a whole, which in turn breeds confidence in your own ability. The firm has almost doubled in size since I first joined. I am proud I have been part of that fantastic journey and look forward to seeing and contributing to that continued progress for years to come.

Silliest moment at Steele Raymond: Being dangled by my ankles into the commercial waste bin by two of my fellow trainees to retrieve some items that the cleaners had mistakenly thrown away – trainee’s get all the fun jobs!

Beach or countryside? I am lucky enough that I live a 5 minute walk from a cattle grid into the New Forest and only a 15 minute drive to the beach.  It’s difficult to pick when both are so close – but crisp beach walks in the Autumn/Winter are amazing followed by Spring/Summer walks in the New Forest (usually stopping off in a pub garden somewhere!).

Early bird or night owl? Probably night owl, but both since the birth of my second daughter!