Tozers regularly welcome students to their Exeter office for in-person work experience placements. Students have the opportunity to work closely with Trainee Solicitors and junior fee earners.
Student Feedback:
‘I really enjoyed seeing different areas everyday – very insightful as to what the teams do’.
‘The openness of staff and their ability to share their time and information [was a highlight]. This made the tasks and the firm appear clear, understandable and approachable’.
‘The induction was an excellent dive into the firm and its aims. I felt like the week was really well laid out and clear’.
Structure Of a Recent Work Placement:
Day 1: The week commenced with a presentation from Charlotte Yendell (Trainee Solicitor) and Jessica Whittick (Solicitor), providing a comprehensive overview of the firm’s key practice areas, values and life as a junior fee earner. The students then joined the Parks Litigation Team with Ellie Cox (Trainee Solicitor) and Georgie Moore (Solicitor). Students prepared a letter to formally notify a residential mobile homeowner that they were in breach of the contract which permits them to site the unit at the Park. Further work included a traffic light review of holidaymakers’ booking terms and conditions to identify any unfair or potentially risky contractual terms.
Day 2: On Tuesday, students spent the day with Jessica Whittick in the Litigation and Employment Team, focusing on Intellectual Property. After an interactive presentation, the students undertook research tasks focusing on the benefits of trade mark registration, drafted trade mark applications and client advice. In the final task, students had half an hour to prepare a trade mark proposal for a fictitious client and presented their findings to Jessica (with a few questions they had not prepared thrown in!).
Day 3: On Wednesday, they joined the Registered Providers Team. The day was split into two; students got to experience contentious and non-contentious work. In the morning, they attended Court with Rio Nathan (Trainee Solicitor) and Ash Williams (Chartered Legal Executive). Rio explained the trial process and provided insight into advocacy within the housing sector. Students were given a case to investigate and then asked to draft an injunction order. In the afternoon, they drafted an email of advice in relation to a Council’s lease obligations and learnt more about public authorities.
Day 4: On Thursday morning, they gained an insight into the Wealth Management Team with Sophie-Dominique Waddie (Paralegal) and Lucy Webb (Trainee Solicitor). The students learnt about the rules governing wills and lasting powers of attorney. They were asked to analyse a poorly drafted fictitious will, identify the mistakes and correct the drafting errors.
Day 4: On Thursday afternoon, they spent time with Charlotte Yendell in the Litigation and Employment Team, focusing on Property Litigation. After a brief presentation about the area of work, students were given a task. They reviewed title documents and drafted a letter of advice outlining the client’s rights and potential next steps. The day concluded with a debrief and feedback session.
Day 5: On Friday, students spent time with Rachael Jones (Solicitor) in the Parks Team. This time, they were in the non-contentious side of the team, which deals with property transactions and planning matters. Students carried out a complicated title review, identified potential concerns for the buyer client and suggested further enquiries to be made with the seller. They also reviewed a Section 106 Agreement and learnt more about why and when they might be needed in the planning application process.
At the end of the week, the Trainee Solicitors facilitated an informal debrief session, allowing the students to ask questions about the training process and gain further insight into the trainees’ experiences.
Benefits of Completing Work Experience at Tozers:
- Gain firsthand knowledge of the firm’s values and an insight into what being a trainee at Tozers entails.
- Build connections with junior fee earners.
- Develop practical, hands-on legal experience.
- Enhance your CV.
- Broaden your understanding of different areas of law.
Tozers offer work experience placements twice a year. The next opportunity for a placement will be in July 2025 and applications are now open. Tozers welcome and encourage applications from students over 16.
To find out more information about the application, please click here.
