What is a virtual trainee?

At Foot Anstey, we pride ourselves on the opportunity for early client contact as part of our training contract and one of the initiatives that enables us to do this is the Virtual Trainee programme. It's a role that provides benefit for our clients and is a fantastic opportunity for our trainees to develop a variety of skillsets.

So, what is the Virtual Trainee programme?

The Virtual Trainee programme sees a trainee work with a key client as an extension of their legal team. The placement lasts for the duration of the training contract with trainees balancing this responsibility alongside their seats. Dedicating five hours per week to the client, they work as part of their team collaborating on various projects and tasks. The work is done remotely but there are opportunities to visit the client's offices and network with the team.

What sort of work do you do?

Our Virtual Trainees get involved in a huge variety of work whilst working with the selected client. From legal research and market research that can help inform a team's decision making, to reviewing documentation and providing advice in non-core areas of specialism for the in-house team.

From a business development perspective, it’s also a great way to work directly with our clients, develop relationships and help us truly understand client needs to help the firm deliver advice tailored to the client's business. 

Additionally, the programme provides the perfect opportunity to hone business critical skills such as balancing multiple stakeholders and managing expectations effectively. Skills that are key to a successful legal career.

What are the benefits?

• Experience working with a client. There's client work and then there's client work! Not only do you get face time with clients, but you are also collaborating with them in their team for five hours a week for the duration of your contract. What better way to gain an understanding of what clients need and how we can best support them?
• Learn more about one of our sectors. Our sector approach plays a key role in how we grow the business. As well as being legal experts, our lawyers pride themselves on their sector knowledge and ability to deliver advice tailored to our client's world. By working as a Virtual Trainee for a client you get first-hand insight into how, as full-service law firm, we can advise clients in several areas.  
• Build networks across the firm. It’s a great way to meet people from across different practices and offices as it provides an opportunity to work with teams from outside of your seat. From other practices to business development and marketing – the role provides exposure to a huge range of people and teams.
• Develop your commercial awareness. By embedding yourself within a client's team, you can gain a strong understanding of the issues that affect a client and how to tailor the advice we give to help them achieve their ambitions. You are also in a unique position to think outside the box and help a client problem-solve and horizon scan for future issues and how to approach them.
• Improve your soft skills. Taking part in the programme also helps you develop your time management, business development and stakeholder management skills.