Securing a training contract with a top law firm remains an elusive objective for many graduates as they seek to enter the legal profession and embark upon their careers. Contracts are notoriously competitive with the applicants easily out-numbering the spaces available.
Once starting a contact, it is well-known that this 2-year period is deliberately designed to stretch and test people, as they learn new skills and develop into lawyers. Therefore, once the contract is secured, often the next natural step is to take time out and either travel, relax or develop skills not associated with law.
With a contract lined up for September 2019, Jaimie Hunter could have taken this well-deserved path. However, rather than take time out, she decided to continue developing toward her goal of becoming a lawyer, albeit with plenty of time to enjoy the year ahead leading up her contract commencing.
Jaimie applied to and was interviewed by Vario in the spring of 2018. As a future law-firm trainee and a graduate with a published dissertation, Jaimie was clearly going to be a high-potential candidate. However, Vario was keen to ascertain her motivations, suitability to freelancing and understand what she wanted out of the forthcoming year.
After joining the Vario bench, Jaimie became director of her own company JJH Legal Services and has been working as a Paralegal in the Oil and Gas Sector in Aberdeen. She joined Shell UK with a contract set to run until the end of the year. Vario recently hired a former Partner and Head of Office, Roger Connon, to run their Oil and Gas division. Roger has focused on oil and gas clients internationally and was delighted to introduce Jaimie to Shell. Since starting, she has been involved in a range of activities, primarily managing and running third-party licence transfer work; whilst being the Focal Point for Master Deed, Legal Information Management matters and the Oil and Gas Portal; as well as drafting documents and assisting lawyers with research and contact matters.
‘It’s really given me an incredible level of exposure ahead of my training contract starting. Working within a global business that is at the forefront of development on the UKCS, at such a critical time has been invaluable experience and I feel fortunate to have gained such exposure before I commence my training contract. I’ve been dealing with a real range of people and I am learning a lot from their wealth of knowledge and experience. I feel as if I have gained so much understanding of how the business works, what the priorities are and how a well-managed legal function can have such a significant impact across the organisation’.
Hunter went on to say, ‘I like the fact that I’m working within one client for such a long period of time; it’s allowing me to see work through to completion. I’ve seen how the work I have been involved with is being applied in real-world situations, which is both extremely rewarding and satisfying’.
Jaimie feels that her time at Shell will provide her with a massive advantage when she starts her training contract.
‘I’ve already been completing some quite stretching work; alongside this I’ve undertaken my master-deed training. I have been fortunate enough to attend a site visit at the St. Fergus Gas Terminal Plant, which has really put the work I do into perspective from beyond a legal perspective. Most importantly of all though has been the business understanding I’ve built up, how companies work and what it is client’s really need and want from a law-firm.’
‘Outside of work, I’ve been keeping myself busy. I can’t resist a bit of time in gym and meeting up with friends of a weekend. I also have a horse, although no riding of late as she’s expecting a foal in the New Year!’
Matthew Kay, Director of Vario said ‘Jaimie has been an asset to Vario and Pinsent Masons. She has represented the firm incredibly well during her time with Shell.
Most importantly of all, it’s been a pleasure to help someone about to embark on a legal career to build skills; understanding and insight about the workings of a client. I’d like to think that what she’s learning will serve her well for the rest of her career.
Jaimie is one of around 20 future trainees that we’ve placed on assignment in the past twelve months. Some of these future trainees are joining Pinsent Masons, but many are set to join other firms. The important thing for us is providing our clients with great talent like Jaimie and the trainees with exciting opportunities and experience as they embark on their legal careers’
Are you interested in gaining valuable legal experience and skills? apply to become a Vario today.
READ ANOTHER OF OUR STORIES
Ellie Wood
A New Avenue for a Qualified Junior Lawyer.
Entering the world of legal work during a global pandemic. Joining Vario’s legal bench helped this junior lawyer gain precious legal experience.
Ellie Wood
Colin Sloan
Sourcing rich legal work through Vario
Experienced Lawyer Colin has been able to find exciting short-term legal projects through Vario, allowing him to enjoy a much more flexible lifestyle.
Colin Sloan
Andrew McLean
Vario within the Financial Services sector
Andrew has been a Vario for almost three years and has spent much of that time on assignment with a major bank. Quite a change from his previous life as in-house counsel for a whiskey manufacturer!
Andrew McLean
Elaine Quinn
Vario and founder of The Conscious Lawyer
Elaine joined Vario in 2013 and has experience of both in-house and Pinsent Masons’ internal assignments. Alongside her three-day week as a lawyer, she has launched theconsciouslawyer.co.uk, a publication exploring a more mindful approach to law.
Elaine Quinn
Kate Halliwell
Vario within Banking and Finance
Having been a Vario for four years, Kate enjoys the flexibility that comes with being a freelance lawyer. In her current full-time role, she works from home one day a week, allowing her to stay involved in family life and achieve the balance that matters to her.
Kate Halliwell
Doris Woo
Vario specialising in IP law
After graduating with a degree in computer science, Doris began working in the IT sector. A colleague then suggested one day that she should consider pursuing a career within IP Law as she would be best placed for it with her existing technical knowledge.
Doris Woo
Meg Berlin
Vario and founder of Dancing Vine
A natural-born multipotentialite with a true portfolio career, Meg continues to work in-house for leading international companies whilst completing a Psychotherapy degree, establishing a private therapy practice, and running a ‘mindful wine’ company, www.dancingvine.co.uk.
Meg Berlin
Rose Johnstone
Belfast-based Vario
Based in Belfast, Rose joined the Vario community early on in her career, and has already worked on a variety of assignments. Rose shares with us her philosophy on life and work, and how Vario has given her the independence and control she desires.
Rose Johnstone
Ross McAlister
Paralegal Vario
Ross is a paralegal based in Edinburgh who signed up to Vario to gain further exposure and experience in law ahead of commencing his training contract.
Ross McAlister
Samantha Byrne
Paralegal Vario
Samantha is a paralegal soon to start her training contract. She joined Vario to gain a greater understanding of work and the legal industry while enjoying a flexible work-life balance.
Samantha Byrne
Alan Blinder
Family, friends, fitness, food and fun.
Freelancing as a Vario allows Alan to have more time for what he values most in life.
Alan Blinder
Lisa Akinrele
Passions for travel, fashion and foreign languages.
Becoming a freelancing Vario allows Lisa to dedicate time to following her passions but also work on high-quality assignments.
Lisa Akinrele
Jaimie Hunter
Training for a Traineeship.
Ahead of commencing her training contract, Jaimie is gaining experience and skills as a Vario.
Jaimie Hunter
Zoe Harris
A Class Act.
Working as a Vario, Zoe is able to pursue her passion for acting as well as a career as a lawyer.
Zoe Harris
Lola Dawson
Smelling the Sweet Roses of Life.
Junior Lawyer Lola decided to forego the traditional career in law and became a freelancer instead. She’s now reaping the rewards.
Lola Dawson
Rachel Wood
From practising solicitor to project management. Rachel found a permanent position through Vario.
Rachel originally qualified as a solicitor in corporate law, moving from a fee earning solicitor role at 5 PQE into a PSL position at McGrigors LLP in their corporate team as one of the firm’s first PSL lawyers.
Rachel Wood
Michael Thomas
Growing up, Michael actually dreamed of studying architecture and design, but it was his traditionally-minded father that persuaded him to become a lawyer.
After working 8 years at a firm, Michael decided it was time to make a new start and launch his own firm in October 2017, he then discovered Vario.
Michael Thomas
Will Buswell
From Lab to Law
After years studying life sciences, Paralegal Will Buswell is now seeking new challenges in the legal world.
Will Buswell
Nicola Allan
Nicola always had a passion for illustration, but her professional career steered her towards law. Working as a Vario, she can now enjoy both
Nicola enjoys seeing more of the world and her lifestyle needs a flexible career to support it. Working as a freelance lawyer through Vario allows her to do just that.
Nicola Allan
Jenny Wilson
Employment Law to Musical Score.
From employment law to jazz; to Canada and back; to part-time working; to psychotherapy and coaching; Jenny Wilson is bringing as much colour as possible to her life as a Vario.
Jenny Wilson
Emma Sinclair
Seeking balance within a career path.
Significant travel, tight deadlines, demanding clients and a continually changing industry was keeping Emma away from quality time with her children. Joining Vario allowed her to
Emma Sinclair
Jacinta Bayard
From Merino Life to Marine Life.
After a successful career working in a combination of in-house and private practice roles in the city, Jacinta moved to the coast for a more relaxed pace of life but finds work which suits her through Vario.
Jacinta Bayard
Ian Barrie
Vario living in Italy and the UK
Ian works on Vario assignments predominately during the summer months, allowing him to fund and run his own independent ski travel business, www.glaciustravel.com, the rest of the year.
Ian Barrie
Ruth Chapman
Vario living in Italy and the UK
Ruth is a senior property lawyer and has worked as a Vario for five years, primarily within Pinsent Masons’ teams. She lives across Italy and the UK, and works almost exclusively from home.
Ruth Chapman
Kara McLaren
Returning to legal work after raising children
Not many people can boast a stint in Toronto, a successful legal career and raising four children all born within four years of each other, but Kara McLaren has managed it.
Kara McLaren
Jack Hamilton
From Placement to Paralegal
Jack gained invaluable experience ahead of his training contract through Vario, and also learned that Vario enables legal professionals to enjoy a better work-life balance than traditional employees.