Day in my Life as a Corporate Lawyer [What I REALLY Do as a Trainee]

"What do corporate lawyers actually do?" is a question I asked myself tons before starting out as a trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance. I'd obviously watched Suits and seen how much of a boss Mike Ross was when working with Harvey, and wondered whether I would feel even remotely like Mike when working with my supervisor 🤔
So I decided to spend my coffee breaks explaining what I actually do in a day as a trainee corporate lawyer. How bad are the hours really? Are there parts of the job that are boring? And do I have any kind of work-life balance?
Hopefully this is a pretty representative insight into what a day working at a firm like Clifford Chance looks like - obviously it's just one day, and some days are longer, some shorter, some busier, and some less busy. But this hopefully gives you a decent idea 😀
If we’re completely honest, for most people who go into corporate law, excitement, money and the chance to be at the heart of huge business deals IS what draws them to the profession. But is this the reality for a trainee at a magic circle law firm?
Let's find out.
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👨‍⚖️ Download my LPC and GDL notes (in PDF format) for free... or get the premium notes for word document versions! 😀
liamporritt.com/law-notes
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📸 Instagram - / liam.porritt
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Who I am:
I'm a trainee lawyer studying in London. I graduated from Cambridge, speak French and Spanish and don’t believe in “natural talent” 😮 BUT... I do believe that TOGETHER, WE ARE ALL CAPABLE OF POSITIVITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND SUCCESS.
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Disclaimer:
Information, views and opinions depicted in this video are my own. Information visible on screens or in documents does not relate to my work as a lawyer for clients.

[@shanfaizi9998]

Breaks are SOOO important... most studies indicate that more often you take a break, the more likely you are to be able to work longer through your next working or study session. You videos are so motivational Liam! Wishing you the best from the east coast of the states!

[@liam.porritt]

Thanks so much Shan - and couldn't agree more :)

[@sara.4679]

This is amazing! You went from interviewing a corporate lawyer to being one yourself! Thank you so much for your videos, Liam :)

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you Sara!!

[@LMonare]

me watching this as an incoming IB analyst and taking notes on how to productively take breaks and their usefulness...Thanks, mate.

[@liam.porritt]

Awesome - good luck going into IB! 😊🤗

[@bdamodarnarayana8902]

what does IB stand for??

[@Thomas_Dilley]

@@bdamodarnarayana8902 investment wanking

[@bdamodarnarayana8902]

@@Thomas_Dilley where do u work??

[@anxskhxn]

@@Thomas_Dilley *banking

[@SamElle]

yesss to the artificial commute!! It's part of my daily routine because I genuinely miss commuting to work

[@liam.porritt]

Mmmm, who knew we'd miss overcrowded public transport!?

[@sanahm4892]

This was so insightful for an aspiring solicitor like myself. Thank you!

[@antoninbesse795]

Great insights and lessons for all lawyers here - thanks Liam!

[@oddmenttweak7]

This is hands down the most useful video I've seen explaining what the actual job entails :)

[@Tambett]

I really felt it when you said "you can't expect to walk in and be able to draft documents you've never seen before" Unfortunately, that's exactly what I'm currently expected to do. I recently started working as a junior lawyer in an European regional law firm (we're often local counsel to CC, hello :D) and because we don't have the handy LPC programme I'm essentially expected to learn everything you learn during the LPC (and more) on the job. Which is stressful to say the least... Other than that, it's fun to see how similar the kind of work you do/the structure of your day is to mine!

[@liam.porritt]

Yeh that is really tough! I guess what you can at least say though is that you are learning as much as possible as quickly as possible! But really interesting to hear your days are broadly similar to mine - thanks for sharing 😊🤗

[@Powerule23]

So much of being a young lawyer is doing things for the first time, and not feeling so comfortable about your tasks.

[@pranavm9550]

learn, unlearn, relearn... Change is the variable for progress Kudos!

[@aranwalia6368]

fantastic video, very helpful to understand life of a corporate lawyer. It really helps to know how to approach the work. There is so much to law, you don't know everything and can't be expected to. Research is critical

[@nandyM2318]

It is so true that we learn things for the first time at the job as trainee's!! Makes me wonder what the point of law school even was sigh

[@liam.porritt]

Haha- I get you, but I do think the basic understanding of the law is kinda fundamental to progressing towards doing the more interesting tasks! 😊

[@nandyM2318]

@@liam.porritt yup absolutely, the only take away is the ability to not be intimidated by the way legislations look and contracts sounds 🙈🙈 in many ways I actually think it's an English Degree at some level, we only learn how to decipher meaning out of plain words . I think I have a video suggestion here - Now that you're a trainee lawyer and at the cusp of becoming an associate, what do you think we're some of the best take aways from law school?

[@scottmitchell268]

@@nandyM2318 Money. Havard is an investment fund with a school attached. All about the money.

[@penehafovaeta8480]

To learn substantive law :D

[@neeks352]

This was very useful and helpful! Thank you!

[@A5A1A5]

These videos are so good as a first year Law student in Australia i love watching content from England as the legal system is almost the same. Kepp it up!!

[@liam.porritt]

Thanks so much Sammy 😊 Good luck with your studies too!!

[@alberth.petrosyan868]

Thank you for this video. It is really insightful, to the contrary of most "day in the life of a..." I've seen in KZbin. Keep going!

[@liam.porritt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@toluwaa9253]

This video is amazing! Thank you

[@claw5491]

Brilliant Video ! I will be doing my first ever work experience at Freshfields in dubai in july , amazing to get a insight before I actually go thanks a lot Liam !

[@GameNeerd]

Honestly, with the quality and editing of this video, how do you only have 85.6K subs?! Thank you for sharing this video! It's keeping me stoked on beginning my own journey as a lawyer in Sweden :)

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you so so much Toni - this really made me smile and best of luck as you begin your career :)

[@ninjochoya6017]

One of the best day in the life videos, thanks!

[@devanshiarora5316]

I always wondered what exactly the trainee lawyers do! Amazing video as always!

[@emelyny5214]

Thank you so much for your lawyer videos, you're doing so great keeping up with everything it must be quite the hustle. I'm a stranger To you but I'm proud of you 😁👍

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you so so much for your kind words - this really made me smile!! It’s hard work, but I love making videos, so very worth it! 😊🤗

[@MrDunguyenvan]

Thanks Liam and hello from a corporate lawyer practicising in Vietnam. It's nice to have your sharing here.

[@ayesharashid6514]

This is so insightful!!

[@Review4YYOOUU]

Yes! loved this series, found your channel through the investment banking and law videos a while back. More professions please!

[@liam.porritt]

Will do as soon as lockdown eases up!! 😊🤗

[@tiaraflyable313]

This is a very good video. I'm working as a legal assistant and I think about studying law to become a lawyer. In your video you show a lot of things, that I'm not aware of because I have my own busy tasks all day long, haha. Thank you for this behind the scenes. It really helps me to think about my decision. Keep going doing those awesome videos. I really appreciate your work!

[@liam.porritt]

Thanks so much Tiara! Really glad you found this insightful and do let me know if you have any questions as you think about moving from legal assistant to studying law 😊🤗

[@simranjeetkmann]

this was really helpful Liam, thank you very much! I'm starting my training contract in a week and this was definitely helpful in providing some context before I start. Wishing you all the best with the rest of your TC :)

[@liam.porritt]

Thanks so much Simranjeet - and best of luck starting your TC too 😊🤗

[@valankafernandes6709]

Hey Simranjeet I've watched your video its amazing 👏

[@KKRCeb]

Very interesting to see! I'm a US JD and will be joining a magic circle's NY office. It is always enlightening to see how people work in another important jurisdiction-namely, whether it's lender/borrower who drafts the first round of documents. Or whether you call it a "closing" or "signing" loll. keep up the good work!

[@arnavshastri1936]

Can relate to this so much. I am an intern at a corporate law firm working in the General Corporate Team. The part where the other party can have a call at literally any point in time is so accurate. Its just that pressure to leave lunch/dinner and get done with the compliance check list or a policy review flags made by the other party.

[@nathaliesoms6027]

I found this video is so eye opening to me. So fascinated to know what other fields in 9-5 office’s life is like. 👍🏻 So so happy I came across your channel! Please keeping updating :)

[@nathaliesoms6027]

Love your energy your attitude toward works.

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you so much Nathalie! Really appreciate you taking the time to comment and will try and make more careers related videos soon :)

[@nathaliesoms6027]

@@liam.porritt Please think about making a video about 'Work with me real time 1 hour'. I honestly put on these sort of videos to kick off my day especially working from home. It just helps a lot to stay motivated as seeing someone is working in the same time alongside. Would be super cool to see your version. Love your recent content on honest working hourly rate as well! Cheers!

[@NgaNguyen-gs5kx]

Thank you for sharing Liam! I really feel you. From a Vietnamese corporate lawyer!

[@DeniseKaye]

Really enjoyed this insight video 🤩

[@liam.porritt]

Glad you enjoyed it! :) Thanks Denise!

[@juliaortmann8387]

1000th like:) I really loved that video, thanks Liam!

[@may-eq1ip]

Love this video! I want to see more about your life as a lawyer in the UK:)

[@chloecopy3594]

Really love ur videos ! Wishing you the best. 👋🏼 from Strasbourg 🇫🇷

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you Léa! 😊🤗

[@chehakmalhotra860]

I didn’t know I needed this

[@kaediola]

Ahhh finally! something I can relate to. 😀

[@alex-dn3ep]

This was such an insightful video and very accurate ! I wish I had your WFH setup 😍

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you Alexandra!!

[@arthurdda]

Great video Liam. Do you fancy doing one on how you secured a TC and your journey to a TC? Did you do a VC and tips on acing the application process leading up to this next recruitment cycle?

[@liam.porritt]

Hey Arthur! WIll definitely think about doing this - thank you for recommending, and also really appreciate your comment :) P.s. good luck with applications!

[@arthurdda]

@@liam.porritt Thanks Liam :)

[@mutomboinprogress]

This is amazing content, Liam. I really enjoy these videos though my field is nowhere close to law.

[@graemesimpson6881]

Smart move on the LIBOR thing. Find something that someone senior doesn't understand. Get good at it. Make them look good by helping with it. They'll keep coming back to you and then you're the one who can do the tricky stuff. And you get to do the big jobs. The trick is trying not to get addicted to seeing partners' little eyes light up when they finally get the point, like a puppy being given a biscuit :)

[@liam.porritt]

Thanks Graeme - a niche area to dive deep on is definitely something I’m going to try to find in my second seat now!... although I think I am definitely well on the way to people pleasing addiction 🤪

[@sadiyaaliyu1409]

Love watching this is kinda work I do at my new job it can be abit overwhelming sometimes but I ll try to be having more workout time too. But I ve got kids too soo I ve to wrap it all at around

[@rebeccamclaren97]

What impressed me the most was how restrained you are with your cereal portions 🙈👏

[@Teyasummerx]

hey liam! i’m a law student over in new zealand and i’m thinking of going into commercial law ! i love this vid and all your other videos cause you show a real insight into the legal world! i also love that you work a full time job and also do youtube which i know must be full on! i hope you will make more videos like this :))

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you so much Wincy! It is pretty full on, but I’m committed to try and carry on making these videos alongside my career, and comments like this definitely help me stay motivated to keep at it, so thank you! 😊😊

[@titopramudita2892]

@wincy always doin legal researh and read as much as possibleabout legal rules

[@lenastojanovic8397]

Love this😍😍

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you Lena!!

[@mazinsurani9694]

Ive worked with Clifford Chance, Dubai as they were our Lender's Counsel. Awesome video man

[@janesmith9024]

Very interesting. I am an old lawyer and I was in a similar firm until starting my own from home in the 1990s. it is a very good start and I wish we could have worked from home in those days. I have found the same since I set up years ago - take the breaks. I go into my garden or get on the floor and do yoga or into another room to play the piano (or when they were little went into another room to feed my baby twins etc). For me always starting earlier before any work comes in has been useful as I am great at 7am but really tired later on.

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you for this Jane - I am trying more and more to get up and get work done before other work comes in, so very much appreciate this tip and trying to keep that going! Not sure how you did it all with twins!!

[@heteeshpillai]

Good one 🔥🔥

[@zacchaeusm4085]

Love from Australia. My wife used to be a paralegal before she became a corporate lawyer, 3pqe now. When people find out she's a lawyer they always bring up Suits. Good on you mate.

[@larosekevin945]

Hi great video I'm a second year law student...thanks for sharing your experienceas trainee ...from Mauritius 🇲🇺

[@shubhayanchakraborty5525]

Thanks for making this video.. I have dreamt and intend to do exactly this..

[@annajones9701]

Not what it is cracked up to be. Left my magic circle law firm after 4 years...setting up my own firm

[@liam.porritt]

Amazing - good for you! Hope you smash it :)

[@surajpowar4915]

Hey Liam, Thanks for the productivity dose mate! Could you please share your playlist with us, as in what you usually listen to when you are working on something intensive per say Research? Thanks !!

[@liam.porritt]

music.apple.com/gb/playlist/reading/pl.u-9N9L29NT7jM9ZX 😊

[@sukilee73]

You got the perfect desk. super envy!! Also love your job~

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you!! 😊

[@alexh0017]

love you vids

[@IdinSabahipour]

A very honest video! 🙏

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you Idin 😊

[@supriyaarunnair]

Im currently procrastinating research for a case due EOD today. I'm so burnt out because I don't have any fixed work time and boundaries between work and other life activities. Breaks are so important. I'm still trying to learn how to balance between work and relaxing.

[@liam.porritt]

Hey - yep, it is definitely hard to find that balance, but hopefully my videos will be able to help you get more structure in your life and find more balance 😊🤗

[@ghr9180]

can relate to your life, cause I am also a junior corporate lawyer in Malaysia

[@shahan484]

I'm on my journey to becoming a Corporate / Company Secretary. I've got corporate law as a key subject. Watching this video gives me hope.

[@dontreply918]

U cleared cs executive??

[@cantncan7898]

Thank you!!

[@aravindkamaraj7647]

Very helpful video

[@kastellan1324]

such amazing determination

[@mossadagent1576]

The SOFR on the todo list, inspired me to recommend Matt Levine's newsletter. He does a free daily newslettrr on financial topics, called Money Stuff. It's really cool, explains complicated, esoteric subjects in a clear and funny way. Sometimes, the situations themselves are pretty amusing however. E.g. there was a great one on Citi accidentally sending $500 million to several hedge funds! You hopefully already know about Money Stuff, considering your seat in derivatives, and work on LIBOR and its replacements though. As always, awesome video bud :))

[@liam.porritt]

Couldn’t agree more Peter and thanks for putting this on here - I highly recommend Money Stuff to anyone interested in the financial world 😊🤗

[@Justice404b]

Thanks for this informative video! How do your weekends look like? Do you find yourself putting in hours?

[@12huzurez]

I bought my blue light filter / blocker glasses recently as I’ve been looking at screens far more than when I was at the office. I’ll have to wait for a bit though to see if they improve my sleep and reduce my headaches.

[@liam.porritt]

Let me know if you notice any improvement - I'd be really interested to hear!

[@benshaw1778]

Loved this video! Super helpful thank you. Where did you get your blue light glasses from?

[@liam.porritt]

bit.ly/3eo34E8 :) And thank you Ben!!

[@startupsolicitors]

We are a Team of Lawyers and Chartered Accountants devoted towards Corporate, Tax and Immigration practice, excited to see your videos. Inspired to give our perspective too, just like you. Liked your Video theme. Thankfully the video has colors unlike our black and white life :P

[@zachariaselia1994]

The question I have for you is, are you happy? Do you look forward to doing this on a daily basis?

[@AKMarch01]

maybe you should do a day in the life/another video...but in french and/or spanish :) great video btw!

[@sendroid4635]

Wait, I dont really understand the world any longer. "Pretty good work life balance" - working 11 hours per day without commute...do you really still have energy for the remaining 5 hours (assuming that you need your 8 hours of sleep) to do your own projects, do intense enough workouts, learn something more complex outside your field of expertise and maintain your other personal relationships? Especially since those 11 hours seem to be one of the "better" days. Explain to me, how does this work?

[@abhiram118]

i like how you manage and doing video too

[@BomberFletch31]

I was an IP lawyer. Your day sounds a lot like mine was when I was practising, although more of my day was spent drafting. Is there a particular "bucket" of work that you enjoy most? For me personally, it was drafting. In my experience, the latest I had stayed in the office was about 21:30, and that was because we had court the next morning. Perhaps that is one of the joys of working for a small firm - the hours are somewhat more reasonable.

[@liam.porritt]

Ummm, I think probably drafting for me too, although we don’t get to do it as much at this stage! And yep- I think that is probably similar to litigation lawyers who may stay late just before a case goes to court / tribunal, but certainly for other lawyers, there are far more peaks and troughs!

[@nnn70]

All nighters are very common if you’re working for a big company.. especially if they want to keep the cost low and not hire enough lawyers

[@wrxthsensei2358]

i pressed this so fast. I am so interested in the law life

[@sotirismaragos]

YES FINALLY

[@icedbannanas]

This level of structure in a day makes me nervous. Good luck!

[@ursulaclarke6066]

13 years in investment banking, 4 in accounting and a brief 18 months in consulting, all in London as can say hand on heart the hours are long, but rewarding, interesting and yes well paid, he was right to compare the earnings with what you pay to live and work in London. Now a few years into a public sector career in NZ and nope, I don’t work those hours, it’s a unionised sector so just wouldn’t be “allowed”. Miss my corporate life but just couldn’t work like that now.

[@liam.porritt]

A really interesting insight Ursula, thank you! The grass is always greener to an extent I think - balance is always tough, and whatever we don't have (time or the exhilaration of corporate life) we want more of :p Thank you for this, and for reminding me to try and appreciate the positives of this job :)

[@itsudayiguess]

You deserve more subs

[@liam.porritt]

Gracias senor

[@mathhelps6945]

Great bio!

[@BH-mt1jq]

Hi Liam. Thanks for the video. Two questions: 1) What self-development would you suggest for someone on their LPC before they start their TC? 2) Would you suggest reaching out to a specific department pre-TC if you're interested in doing a seat there?

[@liam.porritt]

1) Start reading about trends in financial markets / corporate to get familiar with the background to the stuff you will be doing (assuming you'll be going into a corporate firm, although the same applies in other fields) 2) And not particularly necessarily - you absolutely can do if you feel there is a reason to - e.g. if you read an interesting article and the author is an associate, reaching out to say you enjoyed it + giving a quick thought might be nice. But 100% not necessary, and if you do this, make sure to do it in a way that is just appreciative of the work they've done to avoid seeming like you're just trying to get in their good books, because people aren't silly!

[@sandeepnagarkar5056]

sir u great profession lovely ethics of law .

[@photography_280.]

Nyc information!!!

[@lakshyakumar2707]

Really happy that there wasn't an ipad in this video, but pen and paper

[@smcr-ry9jq]

Dude love your videos, can I ask what your monitors are and what stand you use?

[@xxlthea7614]

I really wanna start being productive since im nearly finishing high school and soon entering college, but I can't seem to fight procastination thoroughly and proceed going back to my old ways 😭 i really need some advice

[@unavailableuser2999]

The moment you said that your day starts at 10 and you walk around a drink coffee after waking up at 7... I stopped.. I hope your not complaining about anything in the rest video ( lol), seems like a great job. Good work

[@liam.porritt]

Yep - some weeks I don't start till 10, others I start at 8:30 and work till 2am! That's just the nature of the job :)

[@jeremy-pj1zx]

here at 91k subs. Was here a while ago as well

[@greeny6789]

I'm currently doing pupillage and I do lot of legal research and opinion. Crazy thing is when I have to submit the opinion to my master on the next day.lol

[@n_erm]

Hey Liam, great video! I noticed the Moneyland book on your shelf in the background - would you recommend it? Thanks!

[@liam.porritt]

Hey Nikita - yeh I realy enjoyed the first half (I've actually never got beyond that but do want to finish it!)... Would definitely recommend for an insight into the world of offshore!!

[@n_erm]

@@liam.porritt thank you for the response, appreciate it! It would be great if you can maybe one day do a video on books that you would recommend reading.

[@haseebrauf6554]

Thank you so much for this video! How do you use Trello to help you organise your tasks?

[@JHVlogsUniversityYouTuber]

It is so important to build in that time to be good to yourself. Do you notice a boost after you finish your workout/ run?

[@liam.porritt]

Absolutely - or even just after a walk! Completely agree though that making time to be good to ourselves is so important :)

[@JHVlogsUniversityYouTuber]

@@liam.porritt I never thought I would get a reply from yourself! If you see this, you're a real inspiration ! Keep it up and I hope all goes well for you :))))))))

[@Liberty_Freedom_Brotherhood]

Do you have timesheets to enter at the end of the day? I joined a multinational Risk Assurance firm and the pressure to lie on timesheets is unbelievable. We basically are told not to enter any extra work we do in our own time.

[@shwetadivedi89]

Can I get some notes about transaction, drafting and your research about drafts. 🤪

[@oscarsuperstar2807]

Why did you choose magic circle over US biglaw ? Loved the video !

[@liam.porritt]

Hmmmm... mainly I think that CC (+ other magic circle firms) are generally really hot on diversity and all things ESG in a way US firms are maybe less so + hours generally (even!) worse at US firms :)

[@CameronNoakes]

omg no way you literally live round the corner from my university!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 10:07 - cafe rouche and library

[@chardonayrobinson7123]

Can you do a notion tour?

[@azizjihan]

Many programmers don't have the desk setup like him.(Me neither...

[@dylan6208]

Do you think oxbridge dominates elite London law firms/the Magic Circle? Having a trainee contract at such a great law firm such as CC or Slaughter & May is the dream but I'm not sure I want to try and aim for oxbridge - should I set my sights slightly lower? I'm currently a year 11 student with predicted 8s and 9s and I plan on taking maths, English, history and Spanish for a level as they're my favourite subjects and the ones I do best in. Sorry for the long question, many thanks if you manage to reply!

[@KKRCeb]

honestly, you can go to LSE/UCL and do the 2+2 thing with Columbia law if you are into the biglaw life. 4 years for a decent (albeit no oxbridge) LLB, and a T6 JD in the most employable law school in US. and you get to recruit at both the city firms and the NY biglaws, as a first year asso with 190k global pay, without having to go through the half-paid two years as a trainee. many UK and US firms hire US JDs in London office too so you can return to UK if you would like to. I'm a JD so I'm biased but this is literally the best possible legal career track in my mind.

[@didyouseewhatidone5412]

I’m currently studying law in college And I want to be a corporate lawyer

[@ruchibudhrani94]

Love you🥰🥰

[@neilflynn1109]

Love the videos! Was wondering if you had a masters? I'm graduating soon and I'm so unsure about whether to do a masters or just look for a job straight away!

[@liam.porritt]

I did the graduate diploma in law and then a law and business masters (LLM) as part of becoming a lawyer :) ... Don't need to do a masters, but can buy you time if you're not ready for working life yet haha

[@ajays6393]

Nice keyboard bro