Day in the Life of a Trainee Solicitor at Goodman Ray Solicitors

Ayoola and Olivia talk through a typical day as a Trainee Solicitor at Goodman Ray

Ayoola Ajayi and Olivia Barnes are Trainee Solicitors at Goodman Ray Solicitors. Prior to undertaking their Training Contract, both Ayoola and Olivia worked as paralegals at the firm gaining valuable experience into how a law firm operates and insight into the various departments and services that Goodman Ray offer.

Both Ayoola and Olivia undertake a wide variety of work in their respective seats, including attending court, drafting documents and sitting in on client meetings.

Ayoola Ajayi – Trainee Solicitor

Ayoola first joined Goodman Ray Solicitors as a paralegal in the Care Team in February 2023 and subsequently promoted to Senior Paralegal, obtaining over 2 years’ experience in public and private law children matters before starting her Training Contract in May 2025. Ayoola is currently in her first seat in the International Team.

Olivia Barnes – Trainee Solicitor

Olivia began her Training Contract in November 2024 after joining Goodman Ray Solicitors in October 2022 as a paralegal in the Domestic Abuse Team. Olivia has completed seats in the Domestic Abuse team and the International Children team and has a wide range of experience in private law children and family law act matters. Olivia is in her second seat in the Divorce and Matrimonial Finance Team.

A typical day as a Trainee Solicitor could look like this:

9:00am – 10:00am – Arrive at Court. Meet with client and barrister and attend pre-hearing discussions with the client and their barrister. Take a detailed note of these discussions and assist counsel with any enquiries that they may have about the case.
10:00am – 11:00am – Attend court hearing sat behind counsel and next to client. This is especially important in cases where the client is vulnerable and needs additional support. Take a detailed note of the court hearing including timings, orders made, judgment, next hearing date and future directions in the case.
11:00am – 12:00pm – Post-hearing discussions with the client and counsel. Take a detailed note of these discussions including follow up actions and ensuring that the client has fully understood the outcome of the hearing and what the next steps in their case will be.
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Arrive back at the office. Have lunch with colleagues and catch up about our respective mornings.
1:00pm – 1:15pm – Check emails after attending court in the morning. Consider to-do list for the afternoon and any outstanding tasks that need to be completed and check in with supervisors about this to do list. Discuss the outcome of the morning’s hearing with our supervisor, ensuring supervisor is fully updated on the hearing and next steps, including any urgent court directions that need to be adhered to.
1:15pm – 5:15pm – Undertake a variety of tasks throughout the afternoon. For example, shadowing a client meeting, drafting a Legal Aid Application, drafting court forms and arranging further meetings. Drafting an outcome letter to the client following the hearing in the morning. Sending this outcome letter to our supervisor to check prior to it being sent out to the client.
5:15pm – 5:30pm – Considering to-do list for the day, ensuring that tasks have been completed. Checking in again with supervisor about any outstanding tasks. Ensuring that time recording has been completed and updated for the day.
5:30pm – Attend a seminar at a barristers Chambers with fellow Trainees about a recent development in the law. Network with barristers, pupils and other legal professionals after this event.

The life of a trainee is varied and interesting. There is a fine balance to be struck between learning the law and undertaking general administrative tasks. Both Ayoola and Olivia are enjoying their Training Contract and are developing their understanding of the law and procedure.