Catherine Ekers - First Year Trainee

Where did you go to University and do your degree?

I went to Durham University where I studied Law. I then did the LPC at York College of Law.

What does a typical days work involve?

I am currently sitting in the Residential Property department at Forsters. This is my fourth week and I have already done a wide variety of tasks including drafting a Licence for Storage and researching and writing reports on service charge consultation procedures, rentcharges and pre-emption rights. I am also involved in an unusual boundary dispute for which I am currently preparing a bundle for Counsel.

I also do lots of smaller, more everyday jobs such as completing Land Registry forms, obtaining and interpreting Official Copies and preparing bills for clients. On my second day I was sent to court to find a will and grant of probate.

I really enjoy being a part of lots of different transactions. I have worked on a whole range of cases from large enfranchisements to individual conveyances. This ensures that the work is very varied; so far I have barely done anything more than once.

How are you finding Forsters social side?

Forsters has an excellent social side. Right from the start there has been plenty of social activity of all different kinds; we have had trainee drinks, a firm wide quiz night, departmental lunches and drinks. There are also organised clubs, such as yoga, the book club and charity events. Even when nothing organised is occuring there is still always time for a chat in the kitchen; everybody is very friendly and it feels like the whole firm makes an effort to welcome you.

Because there are only 6 trainees we knew each other even by the second day of training! Since then we have spent plenty of time together in training sessions and after work and have formed a very close group which is fantastic. We are all in different departments which means we have a lot of news to share whenever we meet.

Why did you choose Forsters?

I wanted a medium sized firm which still had an excellent reputation and did a variety of interesting work. I was particularly drawn to Forsters' private client and property reputation. When I walked out after my first interview I knew that I desperately wanted to be taken on here; the atmosphere was so friendly and welcoming and I felt like I really fitted in, even in the short 2 hours that I had spent here.

Once you had chosen Forsters how well did they keep in touch over the two years before joining?

Two years is a long time but Forsters were great at keeping in touch. I came to several events where there was a chance for future trainees to chat to present trainees before having an evening drinks event with the rest of the firm. Those evenings were great fun and ensured that when I arrived on my first day I knew the other 5 trainees in my year, most of the trainees in the year above and a few other people in the firm too. This definitely made me feel less nervous about starting work for the first time!