From law student to legal placement: My year at Ellis Jones Solicitors

Taking the first step into legal practice

Choosing where to spend your placement year is a big decision. It is the point at which legal study begins to feel real: textbooks become client files, lectures become conversations, and you start to gain a genuine insight into what life as a solicitor looks like in practice.

When I joined Ellis Jones as a Legal Placement Student, I expected the year to be largely about observing experienced lawyers and learning how a law firm operates. I soon discovered that the experience would be much more hands-on. From the outset, I was made to feel part of the team and encouraged to get involved in work that was both meaningful and practical. During my placement, I worked across the Dispute Resolution and Criminal Departments at the firm’s Bournemouth office. Both are fast-paced contentious areas of law, where every matter brings its own challenges and no two days are quite the same.

Gaining real-world legal experience

My day-to-day work involved drafting legal documents and correspondence, assisting with client matters, carrying out legal research, attending meetings, and providing administrative support to the wider team. The variety of work kept the placement interesting, but what stood out most was the level of responsibility and trust given to placement students.

One of the most valuable aspects of my placement was developing my understanding of what it means to work directly with clients. I had the opportunity to build professional relationships while developing the confidence, professionalism, and practical skills needed for a career in law.

Learning from experienced solicitors

Working alongside experienced solicitors also showed me the importance of empathy, clear communication, and collaboration. These are qualities that can sometimes be difficult to appreciate fully through academic study alone, but which are fundamental to providing a positive experience for clients and working effectively as part of a legal team.

Building connections across the legal profession

The placement also offered opportunities beyond my day-to-day role. I was able to attend networking events, meet professionals from across the legal sector, and build connections with people at different stages of their careers. These experiences helped me grow in confidence whilst giving me a broader understanding of the profession and the different opportunities available within it.

Reflecting on a year of growth

Looking back, my placement year has given me far more than an insight into how a law firm operates. It has allowed me to put my academic knowledge into practice, develop valuable professional skills, and, most importantly, gain a clearer understanding of the type of solicitor I aspire to become.

My Legal Placement at Ellis Jones has been an important step between studying law and beginning to understand what it means to practise it.

If you are considering a legal placement year, I would highly recommend considering Ellis Jones. It is a challenging, rewarding and genuinely valuable experience.

Interested in joining us?

We are proud of our values and culture. If you think that you would fit into our culture, please give us at least one example of how in a covering letter attaching your CV. Please send your CV/Covering letter to recruitment@ellisjones.co.uk

To find out more, visit our key dates for legal placements, vacation schemes and training contracts page.