Zahra Kanani - Trainee, Residential Property

Where did you go to university?

I went to Queen Mary, University of London and did a Law LLB (Hons) degree. I went to the College of Law (Bloomsbury branch) for my LPC.

What seats have you taken so far?

I am currently sitting in the Residential Property department of Forsters. Prior to this, I was in Commercial Property and then Private Client.

What is it like training in the department?

I have enjoyed my time in Residential Property so far, particularly due to the wide variety of work I have been given. Aside from straightforward conveyancing (i.e. buying and selling property), the department carries out a wide range of work. So far, I have also been involved in drafting and completing Licences to Assign and Carry Out Works and lease extensions, as well as handling sales and purchase files under supervision. The department works closely with the Private Client and Property Litigation teams.

I manage quite a few of my own files and so on a typical day I would normally be drafting documents and forms as well as corresponding with various parties. This can include the client, solicitors acting for the other side, managing agents and most often the Land Registry. In addition to this, I may be given one-off tasks on any number of files. This could involve research, reviewing and reporting to my supervisor on the terms of a Lease and drafting documents.

What is Forsters like socially?

Forsters has a fantastic social scene. There are always many events (especially in the summer) and the trainees are invited to attend. They range from the many quiz nights and treasure hunts to the book club and softball team. We recently held a party for some of our major clients to mark the firm’s 10th anniversary at the Victoria and Albert museum. All the trainees were invited to attend. This proved an excellent opportunity to put faces to the names of people who I have been dealing with on a regular basis.

Forsters recognises the importance of maintaining a healthy work life balance and the fact that happy lawyers are productive lawyers! Although I have been very busy at times, I have never been in the office too late.

There are definite benefits to working in Mayfair as opposed to other parts of London. Forsters’ main areas of practice are property and private client and it was thought that Mayfair would be a suitable location for these two core areas. In addition, we are only a 5-7 minute walk away from Oxford Street (which is handy for lunchtime or after work shopping!). There are also many “green areas” where you can go to enjoy your lunch, especially in the summer, most notably Berkeley Square and Mount Street Park.

Why did you choose Forsters?

I mainly chose Forsters due to my interest in property and private client work. I think the four-month seats are an attractive feature of the training contract as it allows you to spend time in six departments (as opposed to four like most law firms). The result is that as a trainee you are exposed to a wider variety of work and that you have the opportunity to shape and take control of some of your training. There is also the opportunity to do a seat in the same department again if you enjoyed it the first time around.