A day in the life of a Private Client Trainee Solicitor

What’s it like to work at Russel +Aitken (Falkirk + Alloa) Ltd? Find out from our trainee, Iona Pryde, as she details a day in life of a trainee…

I began my traineeship in Russel + Aitken’s private client department in June 2025, and it quickly became clear that no two days are ever the same. Each matter we handle is different, presenting new challenges and learning opportunities. While this article describes a fairly typical day, my schedule can vary considerably depending on client meetings, continuing professional development (CPD) training, and drafting deadlines.

My role as a private client trainee involves a broad range of work including drafting Wills, Powers of Attorney and executry work. Preparation is a key part of private client practice. Before attending meetings, I review clients’ property titles to ensure accurate advice is provided and to identify whether any conveyancing work may be required. If clients are updating existing Wills or Powers of Attorney, I also check whether we already hold these documents.

I regularly attend client meetings alongside my supervising solicitor and, more recently, have been conducting Will signing appointments independently, where I have been involved in the initial meeting. This level of responsibility has been invaluable in building my confidence and practical experience. On some days, my work also includes completing scheduled CPD training to support my ongoing professional development.

My working day always begins the night before. I like to pack my lunch and lay out my clothes in advance, which helps ensure my mornings are calm and stress-free.

In the morning, I travel from Glasgow to Falkirk, arriving at the office for 9 am. While the commute is longer than some, I find it a useful opportunity to prepare mentally for the day ahead and unwind on the journey home by listening to music or a podcast.

Once in the office, I start by checking my emails and reviewing my diary. I then create a to-do list, prioritising tasks based on urgency and deadlines. This helps me stay organised and focused throughout the day.

On this particular day, I began by responding to client emails before moving on to drafting, including a liferent Will and a Power of Attorney. When the post arrived, I scanned and uploaded the correspondence to our case management system. Some of this was related to an executry I am working on, so after filing the letters, I updated the inventory spreadsheet with the date-of-death balances. Throughout the morning, I also took calls from clients, responding to any enquiries and providing updates.

Our lunch break runs from 1 pm to 2 pm, and I always try to get outside for a walk and some fresh air. This gives me a chance to reset and return to work feeling refreshed for the afternoon.

After lunch, I had two Will signing appointments. I printed the Wills on Will paper and reviewed the notes I had prepared the day before to ensure I was fully prepared. Between meetings, I continued responding to emails and made a follow-up call to a bank regarding outstanding statements we had requested. Later, I typed up attendance notes from my meetings and phone calls, ensuring all records were accurately maintained.

At the end of the day, I review my to-do list and carry forward any outstanding tasks to the following day. I also check my diary to ensure I am prepared for what lies ahead before heading back to Glasgow, ready to do it all again the next day.

One of the highlights of my traineeship is the private client team. Everyone is approachable and willing to take the time to answer questions, which has been crucial to my development. Learning from experienced legal professionals on a daily basis has greatly enhanced both my skills and confidence.

We work in an open-plan office and have a strong team ethos. Private client work can be emotionally challenging at times, so having a supportive and positive working environment makes a real difference.

When I first began my traineeship, I lacked confidence when speaking with clients and in my work. However, as each day is so varied and I have been trusted with significant responsibility throughout a wide range of cases and tasks, my confidence has grown steadily. I have now started to take initial meetings independently, secure in the knowledge that I have a supportive team available should I require guidance or clarification. As I have been given a high level of responsibility at such an early stage, I have been able to develop my knowledge quickly, which in turn has strengthened my confidence as I continue to build my technical legal expertise as a trainee private client solicitor.

Overall, I feel I am receiving a truly well-rounded traineeship at Russel + Aitken. Working in a smaller firm has allowed me to take on a high level of responsibility and gain exposure to a wide variety of work. As the firm’s only trainee, I benefit from regular guidance and support, including fortnightly one-to-one meetings with my supervising solicitor. I work closely with the managing director, solicitors, paralegals and legal administrative staff, and the collaborative nature of the team ensures I am never “just a number,” but a valued part of the firm.