Beth Edwards

What is your full name and current role?

My name is Beth Edwards, and I am a Trainee Solicitor at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, based in the Southampton office.

Where did you study and what qualifications have you achieved?

I studied Law at the University of Southampton and completed my LPC LLM at the University of Law (Southampton Campus). I graduated with a First Class LLB in 2023 and achieved a Distinction in the LPC LLM in 2024.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law?

Law plays to my strengths, reflects my values, challenges me, and offers plenty of opportunities to grow and develop. I’ve always enjoyed working with people, and I liked how law combines that with problem-solving and making a real difference. I found the academic side of law genuinely interesting, which led me to study it at university. Along the way, I spoke to people in the profession, got involved in events and workshops, and gained as much experience as I could, both legal and non-legal. All of that helped confirm that this was the right path for me.

Why did you choose to train with Womble Bond Dickinson?

I chose WBD for several reasons:

• Culture: During my legal work placement at WBD, I experienced the firm’s open and supportive culture, where the non-hierarchical structure created a genuine sense of community. It was clear to me that this was a place where I could grow both professionally and personally.
• Quality and variety of work: As a full-service commercial law firm, WBD offers exposure to a wide range of sectors, providing breadth in my training.
• Clients: The firm works with high-profile clients on significant matters. I’m currently about to undertake a six-month commercial client secondment at IBM.

What does your training contract involve?

My training contract consists of four six-month seat rotations across different departments. So far, I’ve completed a split seat in Property Litigation and Commercial Dispute & Regulatory, followed by a seat in the Insurance Disputes team. I am about to begin a secondment at IBM for my third seat.

What kind of tasks do you typically handle?

My day-to-day tasks include legal research, drafting correspondence to clients, courts, and opposing parties, preparing legal documents such as court forms and applications, attending hearings and mediations, and participating in client meetings.

What challenges have you faced during your training?

One of the biggest challenges has been overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Coming from a low socio-economic background and being the first in my family to attend university, I initially found the idea of entering a professional legal environment quite intimidating as I did not know what to expect. However, WBD offers strong support through supervisors, HR/Early Talent, buddies, and fellow juniors. I’ve also joined the firm’s ambassador network to help others from similar backgrounds access the legal profession.

How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

I prefer to start my day early so I can finish shortly after the working day ends. If needed, I’ll log on from home to complete urgent tasks. WBD prioritises wellbeing through initiatives like wellbeing day entitlements and a flexible working policy, which helps me balance work and personal life effectively.

What three qualities do you think are essential for a career in law?

• Enthusiasm – Being eager to learn, ask questions, and get involved.
• Adaptability – Being able to respond to changes in law, technology (such as WBD’s rollout of co-counsel AI tools), and the wider commercial environment.
• Collaboration – Working effectively with colleagues and clients to achieve the best outcomes.

Can you debunk a common myth about being a solicitor?

A common myth is that solicitors are always in court. While some do spend a lot of time there, especially in litigation, many work primarily in offices, focusing on research, drafting, and client advisory work. Even within litigation, there’s a strong emphasis on alternative dispute resolution and settlements, which often reduces the need for court appearances.