Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

Associate in Environment Group, acting for public and private sector clients in work involving environmental, health and safety and planning law. Includes advice on commercial contracts, mergers & acquisitions, regulatory defence, compliance and real estate matters.

My typical day will firstly involve dealing with emails and phone calls from clients, internal colleagues and opposing solicitors on a range of matters. On various days, I would be involved in drafting notes of advice (both legal and strategic), researching the legal position, drafting, amending and commenting on proposed contractual agreements, dealing with regulators and progressing the defence in any regulatory investigations (e.g. attending interviews, drafting witness statements, dealing with experts, preparing mitigation).

I enjoy the customer service aspect, the need to keep clients happy and the business development role that all lawyers now have to play. I enjoy the fact that we are always required to come up with new ways to solve a problems for our clients. Environmental law is particularly challenging, as it changes continually and is based primarily on technical EU directives, so the advice is often ground breaking or strategically crucial for our clients' business.

Complying with the demands of multiple clients at the same time, from different sectors and backgrounds; meeting competing, and often very tight, deadlines; and negotiation with multiple parties on a transaction, where they all want different things

The job is intellectually stimulating and requires us to learn constantly. I was also attracted to the direct client contact and business development opportunities which are available in a commercial law environment.

A post-graduate qualification (LPC) is required, and either a law degree or law conversion course. I also use the following skills - organisation and time management; research skills; customer service; marketing; clear writing skills; strategic/commercial approach to problems; flexibility; oral and written communication skills; listening skills

Constant training updates (Continual Professional Development scheme) on legal matters, and various soft skills sessions on for example - how to be a trusted advisor, finance for lawyers, presentations, negotiation skills, business development and networking

3 months working at Lombard Direct in their claims division, administering claims which had been referred to their external lawyers for non-payment

2 years working at Sheffield City Council as the Youth Inclusion Support Panel Coordinator. I administered the project, which involved youth workers putting together an intervention plan for young people at risk of anti-social behaviour. I was responsible for their day-to-day management, organising certral events and programme of activities during holiday periods, managing our relationship with central government etc

2 years at Nottingham Law School to complete pGDL (Law Conversion) and LPC (Legal Practice Course)

Since 2005, at my current firm (first as a trainee solicitor and then as an associate)

Reaching Senior Associate and possibly Partner level

Gain as much work experience as you can as early as you can - any job with a link to the legal world will be viewed positively on your CV, as legal recruiters look for a commitment to the profession. Review the Chambers and Partners guide for future trainees, which lists a large number of firms and their graduate programmes, to narrow down the types of firm and work you want to do before applying for training contracts. Any work you can do in the business community is also beneficial, to get your profile known.