Nina Noafshar, a Trainee Solicitor based in our Perth office tells us more about her Gillespie Macandrew experience and what drove her to pursue a career in law.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
My interest in law emerged relatively late. While studying my first degree in International Relations, I found myself particularly drawn to legal modules, such as International Law and Human Rights Law. From the outset of my studies, I found the subject matter and process involved in building and structuring legal arguments fascinating.
By the end of my second year, I felt confident that I wanted to work in the legal industry, particularly as many of the skills I developed during my degree in research, communication and critical thinking were directly transferrable to a career in law.
As a result, I began plans to undertake an accelerated law degree after the completion of my studies. During my accelerated LLB and Diploma, I assumed I would naturally be more drawn to public law subjects due to my background in International Relations. However, I unexpectedly found myself particularly enjoying property law modules, which is a key sector at Gillespie Macandrew.
As part of your GM traineeship, you’re based in our Perth office – can you tell us how that compares to living and working in a large city? What benefits are there to working in Perth?
Being based in Perth is a unique experience. It’s obviously a big change after living and working in Edinburgh most of my life, however I’ve truly loved settling into a new place.
There are so many areas of outstanding natural beauty nearby from Kinnoull Hill to the Cairngorms and Loch Leven, some of which I’m fortunate enough to pass on my daily commute.
I’ve also enjoyed exploring historic villages nearby on the weekends such as Dunkeld, Gleneagles and Blairgowrie, as well as the palace at Scone. Perth is only an hour away from Edinburgh and Glasgow too, therefore it is convenient for travel if I ever miss the feel of a large city.
The city of Perth has an approachable and friendly atmosphere, and this is echoed in the culture of the GM Perth office. The smaller size of the office has provided the opportunity to get to know team members well. Everyone in the office has been so helpful in providing guidance and support when required, and I have the added benefit of support from the Edinburgh team too.
What skills have you found most valuable in your training which may have helped you to overcome challenges or learn from new experiences?
My time at Gillespie Macandrew has allowed me to develop my leadership skills. My colleagues and mentors have been helpful in recognising where I feel comfortable to work independently on a task and have instilled confidence in me, so I feel capable of solving challenges myself.
What have been some of the most rewarding experiences you’ve had as a trainee lawyer, and how have they helped you grow personally and professionally?
One of the most rewarding experiences for me has been the opportunity to meet and build relationships with clients from the outset of my traineeship.
Having a large amount of client contact has allowed me to witness first-hand the positive impact of my work. This has been a great source of motivation for me, as it has helped me to feel connected to the matters I’m involved in.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering a career in law and undertaking a legal traineeship?
I would encourage anyone considering a career in law and undertaking a traineeship to try and secure legal work experience as soon as possible.
I understand that securing practical experience in the legal industry can be challenging, especially if you don’t have connections. However, taking any small step you can towards gaining experience is advisable.
I completed several different placements in law firms varying in size and specialisation before my traineeship. I found my experience to be particularly helpful, as it equipped me with a legal network and key skills which have assisted me during my traineeship. It was also useful for figuring out which kind of law and firm I was interested training in, and for confirming that law was indeed the right path for me.
