Still finishing her legal studies, Abba messaged a handful of trainees on LinkedIn. “Everything I heard was really positive – great work-life balance, great culture,” she recalls. After the training contract assessment-day she reflected: “I really want to work there.” The warmth and openness she felt in the room made the decision easy.
A paid paralegal post meant Abba could earn while studying. She joined in August 2022 and spent a year switching between part-time and full-time hours to accommodate term-time and holiday stints, thanks to what she calls “very flexible” support from the team. That role rolled straight into her training contract in September 2023.
Across every seat Abba has “been able to be myself – everybody’s friendly and helpful.” Partners explain context before handing over first drafts, then review edits side-by-side so she understands each change. That visibility, she says, “accelerates learning and keeps you involved in the whole journey.”
Abba’s first seat took her into the Estate Planning & Tax team, where she played a big role in implementing the tax software, learning unfamiliar territory fast and helping two lateral hires settle in. A second seat in Corporate put her on a different floor, expanding her network firm-wide and showing how transactions knit together across teams. To round off her training contract Abba joined Property Litigation which gave her an all rounded experience in both contentious and transactional seats. Now having qualified into the Corporate team, she advises on corporate transactions including company reorganisations and shareholder agreements.
Bournemouth simply suits her: “I always knew being in Bournemouth suited my personality”. Living close to the beach means evenings can start early instead of on a commuter train, and the firm actively encourages the team to enjoy that balance.
Bring energy and curiosity. “People here are kind, approachable and want you to succeed – but you have to lean in,” Abba says. For her, the leap has already paid off: “I’m growing faster than I imagined, and I still have a life outside the office – exactly what I hoped for.” Abba believes her training contract experience has already started shaping the lawyer she is today.
