Day in the Life of an Olliers Trainee Solicitor

Olliers’ Trainee Solicitor, Hope Rea, describes her journey into criminal law and her day-to-day life at Olliers 

My journey into law has been a rather conventional route. I became interested in a legal career when I was studying for my GCSE exams around the age of 16. I then chose Law, Philosophy and English for my A level subjects and realised then that I loved studying law. I studied my undergraduate Law degree at University of Manchester and achieved a first-class degree.  

Olliers Summer Internship 

In the first year of my degree, I was lucky enough to complete the Olliers Summer Internship Scheme which allowed me an insight into the firm, its cases and the staff.  As I was graduating in 2022, I joined Olliers Solicitors in the admin department, and this was an invaluable opportunity for me to kick-start my legal career within a leading criminal defence firm. I worked hard to learn all I could about the administrative side of the legal system and slowly began to assist in paralegal work on some solicitor’s cases. I was offered a training contract and became a trainee solicitor in September 2023. I also began my Legal Practice Course with the University of Law in September 2023 and have been working as a part time trainee, part time student since.  

Training Contract 

I am now eighteen months into my Training Contract with Olliers Solicitors and it is incredible reflecting on how much I have learned and how many challenges I have overcome so far. Being a trainee requires determination, flexibility and confidence. At the early stages of my training, I primarily assisted senior solicitors with their cases, which included anything from pre-charge engagement cases to crown court matters. My supervisor, Martha Whitehead, has a broad range of expertise from pre-charge work to crown court trial preparation.  

I have been able to work in collaboration with Martha on many cases which allowed me to develop my own style of working, whilst being consistently supported and guided by an excellent supervisor.  

Caseload 

As my skills developed and confidence grew, I began to be allocated my own case files to handle. I now have my own files which include a diverse range of cases including Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) cases and fare evasion, magistrates’ court trials, crown court trials and cases which have been committed to the crown court for sentence. 

I enjoy crown court trial preparation work the most as it is interesting, dynamic and strategic work. As crown court trial proceedings are often very delayed, we spend months, and often years, building rapport with clients to assist them throughout the proceedings. I find it rewarding being there for a client and supporting them, and their family, during the trial.  

Police Station Accreditation 

In September 2024 I began my training for the Police Station Accreditation Qualification. Because I have not yet completed my LPC, I had to pass the initial test and have completed the first half of my portfolio of cases. I have a further exam and the second half of my portfolio to complete and with every attendance at a police station, my confidence and skills grow. As of February 2025, I am included on the out of hours rota for police stations which means I will be on call during my allotted slots.  

Every day is different 

After a year and a half of experience, I feel more confident each day and can appreciate how much learning I have done, and how much learning I have to go! The joy of this career is that it is ever changing, and no two cases are the same and this allows for an endless ability for self-development and learning. I enjoy the intellectual challenge of this job, striving to be the best I can be and the range of personalities and people we assist and interact with every day. This job is anything but boring!