Day In The Life Of A Corporate Lawyer (1 Year In)

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I've been a trainee lawyer at a magic circle corporate law firm for over a year now (wahhh - crazy!). So, I wanted to share a FULL and pretty intense day working in my firm's litigation department - Harvey Specter, I'm coming for you 😂. I run through common trainee tasks, how long the hours REALLY are, and some tips I've picked up in my first year as a trainee corporate lawyer 🙌
Having been in corporate law for over 12 months now, I've been in 3 different departments and spent a lot of time working from the office and from home. This video hopefully gives a realistic insight into what lawyers actually spend their days doing (a year into their careers), and what the role is likely to look like in the new world of hybrid working 😃
Enjoy xx
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About Me
I'm a trainee lawyer, part-time KZbinr, son, brother, startup founder, boyfriend, black coffee drinker and plant dad. I graduated from Cambridge University (where I studied French and Spanish), topped my law school class and now work for a corporate law firm in London as a trainee solicitor (which takes up a lot of my time)!
Around that, I'm a big fan of discovering new ways of thinking, of balancing work with life, and of performing to the very best of my ability. Ohh, and being happy. And I try to share all that on this KZbin channel 😀
Fun fact: I believe we massively overplay the role of “natural talent” 😮 AND… I also believe that TOGETHER, WE ARE ALL CAPABLE OF POSITIVITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND SUCCESS.
📸 Instagram - / liam.porritt
🌍 My little kingdom - liamporritt.com
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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.
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Thank you so much to Huel for sponsoring this video 🙌

[@AhmetKaan]

*To all the dreamers out there, don't ever let the world's negativity disenchant you or your spirit. If you surround yourself with love and right people, ANYTHING is possible.* 🙏🖤

[@adrianalewis2785]

Amen❤😊

[@seaweedglob]

What a workhorse. Spending 10 hours or more a day on work, then proceeds to produce high quality video content. You're an inspiration, my guy!

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you so so much :) This comment made my day - I appreciate you :)

[@consultingcharlie6044]

Advice on doing the simple things and mundane tasks really well and with lots of attention to detail is really important. I'm a Consultant and doing this consisently unlocked new opportunities that ultimately earned me a double promo after just 10 months at the firm. This isn't a flex, actually it's the opposite: there was nothing special about me other than the relentless attention to detail and focusing on the value add, the "so what?"

[@liam.porritt]

This is 🪄 - couldn’t agree more 🤗

[@lucasquennell3463]

Can you please explain how you recognise value add opportunities? Perhaps with an example? No problem if you can’t be bothered!

[@consultingcharlie6044]

@@lucasquennell3463 easiest to explain with an example so let’s say I prepared our monthly KPI data and report for the client. Then when we were presenting it I was listening to the client’s feedback was and then went away and thought about how we can solve them and immediately started working on a solution where other analysts would just see their job done once they’d written the report and captured MOM. I can’t give too much detail away but one client had a perception about code quality. I went away and spoke to different teams and discovered the problem was around how much time we had to test it. So I went and learnt Design Thinking so I could hold collaborative workshops on how we can reduce handoffs, improve collaboration and engage the right teams earlier. The client not only liked that I’d bothered to do this but liked the style of workshop I’d done and asked me to set up a programme of Continuous Improvement for them which then drove new opportunities for our firm too If you compare that to how most analysts will robotically get the data, analyse the data and write the report it’s then going to extra mile to say “ok what does this insight tell me about where the problem really is and what can I do to solve it” and then *actually* doing it without anyone needing to suggest it. Bit wordy but hope that helps?

[@lucasquennell3463]

@@consultingcharlie6044 yes that’s a huge help, I learn well from examples. Its tough because you’re not in the legal field (unless you are and I haven’t heard of this work) to understand the example exactly but it’s definitely in line with how I work. I’m just going into a professional law role this year and I’ve only done retail work while I studied for my law degree, and although I applied the same problem solving it’s not to the degree that you work with. Nervous but excited to prove myself :)

[@lucasquennell3463]

@@consultingcharlie6044 and thank you so much for taking the time by the way

[@lecieltombesurmoi]

I love how you give us an insight into what you do on a daily basis. I also love how you want to do a great job, very motiviating. Keep these videos coming

[@BomberFletch31]

These are the best videos, in my opinion. Some of that is familiar to me (being a lawyer myself), but it's just interesting to see how other firms work (and indeed, what it's like practising law in the UK). Thank you, Liam.

[@duetchu1416]

As a trainee banker I found ur content really inspiring and provide lots of relevance to my work!! Love your philosophy of ‘doing the simple task in the best way possible’👏❤️

[@JohnAndJaneDoe65]

Love the detailed explanation of the tasks assigned

[@sammyetc]

I love your videos so much, especially these ‘a day in the life’ ones, they get me so excited and motivated to continue my ma law course - sometimes I want to give up with the amount of work and pressure haha! So thank you a bunch for keeping me inspired 👏🏼

[@boahgeil465]

Really happy im a computer scientist/data scientist when I see the tasks and workload a trainee lawyer has, but it's really interesting to see! Keep up the good work!

[@dominiclondesborough3222]

Fantastic video Liam, you look like you have the qualities needed to thrive in a top London solicitors firm. Brings back memories of my brief (!) stint at a top 10 solicitors firm in London. The sheer intensity of the work was a shock, the way your workload could literally double without warning, the late nights in the office (cancelled tennis matches, cancelled restaurant meals, arrrrgh), eating dinner on the way home to create more time for sleep before the early start the next day, catching up on workload at the weekend. Juggling the demands of clients and partners was a daily challenge for sure. Corporate lawyers deserve every penny of their big salaries, given the substantial sacrifices they make every day.

[@orbitexe1624]

Im in my last year of high school, i initially had law set then it hit with what a wanted, your videos have helped me fully decide to be set on law and one day be a corporate law hopefully, im studying internationally so i had to decide early, thank you :D

[@Terricharmedackles]

I love the passion for what you do and how you try to do a simple task to the absolute best of your ability. You have a great work ethic :D

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you so much, Terri 😊

[@theacademicfix2210]

Remember: "A goal without a plan is just a wish"

[@andreseduardofernandez6729]

Great video Liam! I hope you post more videos of your days in the office ;)

[@graphenebusinesslaw]

Love seeing these videos from lawyers in different countries!

[@shriyaaz]

you have no idea how much your videos inspire me :)

[@mimicovers97]

These videos give great insight into the life of a trainee!

[@andiquoteable]

As a junior lawyer, I love following your videos. Great content as always!

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you so much!! Really appreciate it 😊🤗

[@praneelthakur8332]

Love your videos liam! Can you please make more stuff on how can law students improve their network and also how can the communication skills to have like giving assurance to the clients etc And also can you create a discord server for lawyers around the world to have conversations and networking and improving their communication and skills ??

[@onepiece_]

Love your videos Liam you inspire me everyday to work hard and to be a corporate lawyer

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you!! :)

[@Ajd83.]

Just found your channel. Really enjoying the content. Eye opening and informative 👌. I'm really intrigued on the productivity videos especially. Taking on a promotion in two weeks and enjoying your presentation skills also.

[@mpho_online]

It’s my first day as a Candidate Attorney tomorrow. This got me so amped! Thanks Liam for your videos :)

[@liam.porritt]

Hope that went well!! Thank you for commenting!!

[@CraigBukenya]

These videos usually do very well; hopefully you rack up a couple hundred thousands views! PS: just watched it; it’s a very informative and well-structured video🤘🏿

[@sariany9794]

So so thankful!

[@apollo5351]

Hey Liam, i’ve been watching you for a while, and i remember when you only had 10k subscribers. I’m so glad your channel has exploded and keep up the amazing work!

[@liam.porritt]

Legend! Thank you so much for staying with me that much - I massively appreciate your support!!

[@mythoughtsgoback]

hey! i found the tips you shared on how to stand out as a trainee really useful, it'll be great if you could make a video specifically on that topic!

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you so much - glad you found this helpful and will definitely think about how to get tips for trainees into more of my vids :)

[@dearjem]

Hi Liam, are all the tasks you showed us timed very closely? Also really enjoyed watching your passion and excitement for the tasks and department as a whole!!

[@KM-cm9yw]

Have you enjoyed corporate or litigation/DR more? Love your videos!

[@deusvultpictures6550]

My lawd I love working from home and hate the fucking office even though I'm in a tiny room - your desk set up has inspired me to upgrade my workstation in the near future.

[@polinasoloveva2784]

Hey Liam, I love your content, keep going and good luck with everything! I would really appreciate if you could cover how to balance uni and work/internship for senior students. Any advice on that? What habits would you suggest developing while planing your day?

[@liam.porritt]

Hey Polina! Thanks for commenting! I think my biggest piece of advice on this topic is that, particularly at univesity / college, you can probably afford to spend a semester really intensely focused on work applications / internships and developing your CV, even if slightly to the detriment of school work - ideally do this when your school work / grades don't count, if possible! Essentially, getting experience and ultimately a good job is the end goal, so grades will be super important for that, but so will the experience you get doing internships etc. There are also tons of online programmes you can do now in your own time (virtual internships).

[@JC-kz3ut]

I’ve always been a client, so I never knew what the names on my invoices really did day to day (as I never saw anyone apart from the partner), so this was an interesting perspective. I also have a mate in the magic circ doing corp lit, and they worked him like a dog as a first year qualified, so you’re either lucky with your firm or you’re in for a reckoning after you qualify 😜

[@liam.porritt]

A bit of both possibly I think!! Thanks for commenting though - appreciate it!

[@victoriabrown1526]

Hi Liam, as ever I love your content. Would you consider making a video about how to write an outstanding legal CV in the UK? There is a lot of contradictory information out there about what employers really like to see on a candidate's CV!

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you Victoria! Will definitely think about this, but for now would recommend having a look at this video if you haven't already: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXPHkGVvjpibfZI - thanks and good luck!!

[@davidwilkinson8980]

Just started watching your stuff today its really good 👍

[@liam.porritt]

Thanks so much David - appreciate it 😊

[@davidwilkinson8980]

@@liam.porritt what advice would you give someone that would maybe want to start a KZbin channel but doesn’t really like the camera much? I was thinking doing something similar but from the point of view of my role as an IT Manager

[@shahrukhnawaz7681]

Much waited 😁

[@chrisere9]

The way the guy is so productive with his time is insane.. to have time to do all that and make a top quality video

[@naturewalks]

Awesome video! I really enjoyed it!

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you very much!!! 😊

[@janesmith9024]

Very good. It helps people realise what is involved. It is good to be positive. I am an old lawyer and one reason I am still going strong is I like it. Great career.

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you, Jane! Really appreciate your feedback, as always! 🤗

[@haashimjamil4032]

This motivated me to do my law coursework lol

[@kavyasreekumar8354]

loved this

[@simranjeetkmann]

Definitely agree with the Suits-esque vibe of Litigation - my first seat was in litigation 😅

[@liam.porritt]

Hehe - thanks for commenting Simran! How are you doing?! Hope all good with you :)

[@kathyzhang2129]

Would love to see your thoughts on the pros/cons of litigation vs transactional work, and how to choose a practice area!

[@liam.porritt]

Thanks Kathy! Maybe closer to qualification, I will make a video talking about my thoughts on the pros and cons of each! Thanks again for commenting :)

[@kareena3147]

Would love to see this too, thanks Liam!

[@galangbagus395]

So it's fantastic, as my motivation to get the work at corporate as a legal

[@markmarsden744]

Hi Liam, I hope you are well :) I am online TEFL teacher in the UK and enjoy watching your videos. I guess my question is how you prioritze replying to emails and messages generally in life? Thanks for your help- pray that you and Beth both keep safe. Take care, Mark

[@som6492]

Beth and you are goalssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@liam.porritt]

Hehehe- thank youuuuuu!!!! 🤗

[@samrosen1965]

Love the videos! I was wondering what brand those blue light glasses are.

[@liam.porritt]

Barner!! bit.ly/3kYFNd2 :)

[@nikascholte927]

Motivating!

[@bdgaming5975]

Love your videos I am taking A-levels next year and which ones did you take and which is best for law

[@LS-mt2nm]

Really interesting video ! Just wondering once you qualify into a specific department as an associate, do all associates get paid the same amount in the firm ? or are associates in specific teams paid more ?

[@furdiebant]

Very sensible advice young man!

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you Bob!

[@furdiebant]

@@liam.porritt an interesting seat - enjoy it!

[@acn3745]

Great video

[@josealfredotorresrubio9947]

Greetings from Mexico! Your videos are great :D

[@liam.porritt]

Thanks so much :)

[@peterjuhasz9741]

Keep killing it in the gym man, U gonna be badass like Harvey Specter. Especially if you implement boxing sometimes.:D

[@henners1k92]

A good reminder of some of the difficulties of private practice. Spinning endless plates and associates fighting over insufficient resource at the junior end in an attempt to keep the partners and clients happy.

[@ZOOBZGOMEZ]

Do you have any tips for reviewing documents/ contracts and increasing your attention to detail? Sometimes I literally zone out doing stuff like that 😩

[@iOLlVER]

Hi Liam, amazing video! May I ask why it is so common to use a cell phone instead of video conferencing for calls like 16:37? 🙂

[@IXAa903b]

Hey Liam! 😊 Great video! Could you share what you are listening to while working?

[@liam.porritt]

My reading playlist on Apple Music - music.apple.com/gb/playlist/reading/pl.u-9N9L29NT7jM9ZX Really glad you enjoyed the video thank you 🤗🤗

[@xCiaraLouisexx]

I heard the “I’m a serial snacker” as I tucked into my snacks 😂 this was so interesting!

[@h77psposts]

Liam I love your videos mate . I am an Indian high school student, giving my final exams this feb ( if covid is under control) and I wanna become a corporate lawyer , i look up to you so much and wish one day to have a job like you cuz i really wanna become a corporate lawyer and settle in the Uk.

[@emmamartinez795]

Update ?

[@h77psposts]

@@emmamartinez795 Update: I graduated from high school last July and appeared for the entrance test of our most prestigious chain of law schools in December 2022. I got into a tier 1 law school in India and now am waiting for the session to commence.

[@kevinsattarzade6534]

Hello, can you please a video or file to buy on your website about using IRAC method with examples (basically the structure of writing a law essay) ? Thank you very much

[@lukedevilliers9028]

Liam : "A bit rainy, a bit grim" Me : "Welcome to the UK"

[@BrennerEraFan]

So what do you recommend, is it worth becoming a corporate lawyer in the long run...I mean should I study law and choose this career for the rest of life?

[@elizabethrobertson4890]

I’m a three year pqe real estate lawyer and have just started a trainee supervisor role. So working on the flip side of where I started out! It’s very weird 😂 But I did want to say your advice about getting the simple stuff right is spot on! I certainly took it seriously when I trained as I do in my day to day now. You can get all the technical legal points correct but I always worry when I get work back that’s got silly mistakes in it that anyone could get right! Attention to detail cannot be taught as easily as the law can.

[@liam.porritt]

Thank you so much for commenting, Elizabeth! Definitely glad to have associates who have earned their stripes agreeing with what I’m saying, so thank you! 😊😊

[@Howtogetfluent]

Indeed. Things as mundane as checking the numbering in bundles and that everything is in there can be vital even though you may think "Did I do all that study for this?" at the time.

[@MellyXNY]

these hours are comparably "light" compared to associates' hours in Big Law in the US. do law firms in the UK just have better work-life balance?

[@nokubongamkhonto7784]

You're so high powered. I would need a nap somewhere in between all that work.

[@Blueocean0123]

Very motivating video! Thank you for the great content. By the way, any tips on how to get a tight defined jaw like yours?

[@AhmetKaan]

*Pain of regret is so much worse than the pain of discipline.*

[@thepawprint9857]

motivating

[@likimori383]

Great video - how do you link both your screens to your laptop?!

[@liam.porritt]

I have a hub thing that they all plug into :p

[@iswish_41]

Client watches this " I hope this kid is not billing us for his shower time".

[@leoblue6134]

Good video, but I have to be honest, it was a bit of a jump scare at 10:51 😆. Thought it was a ghost or burglar!

[@j-borges7786]

Bro, whats your opinion about the tv show suits?

[@brannonwood9842]

What earphones do you use for running?

[@lskhd3535]

What subjects apart form history would you recommend taking in sixth form to become a lawyer

[@praxseb4317]

Econ possibly if you are open to working with something related to economics

[@andrewbetancourtofficial]

Night routine? What time do you sleep?

[@HyphenzaOfficial]

Do you work on weekends?

[@user-cp6yg7oi8g]

I hope i can become a lawyer someday

[@joshl5919]

What phone do you have? Do you find the screen optimal?

[@liam.porritt]

iPhone 11 :)

[@OJM213]

Link for the blue light glasses please?

[@liam.porritt]

bit.ly/3kYFNd2 :)

[@filippofonseca]

Legend

[@lillylewis6381]

What university did you go to ?

[@martinwalker2549]

Are you from Middlesbrough Liam? Just wondering with the Boro top in the gym UTB

[@liam.porritt]

Hey Martin - not from Middlebrough, but my grandparents are (well, Stockton) and I visit pretty regularly! Boro fan though - UTB!!

[@martinwalker2549]

@@liam.porritt good man - keep up the good work!

[@Harshit-cv4ie]

Nothing like Harvey Specter..................

[@benspiller455]

Heard you went to Tonbridge school that’s where I went lol which house were you in

[@liam.porritt]

Sure did - Welldon :)

[@benspiller455]

@@liam.porritt nice I went to Park

[@eastcoast4233]

I can't see that it's right to have roles that take you so late (11pm to 2am). Just shouldn't be allowed.

[@davidpender5030]

do you get bored by working at home everyday

[@benudall9713]

You live in Greenwich too?! 😮

[@liam.porritt]

Sure do Ben!!

[@DemetriPanici]

*"Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there." - Bo Jackson*

[@beausy4394]

wanted to punch the air after hearing the first alarm...

[@samwalsh8299]

How tall are you?

[@tomowens9304]

This guy would look so good with a beard

[@liam.porritt]

… if only he could grow one… perhaps when he grows up 🤔

[@dil8849]

Can’t just be me that thinks this guy looks like Sidwell from Suits?

[@DemetriPanici]

*"Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines." - Robert H. Schuller*

[@chiranjitdey1430]

Its chewsday, innit??

[@donatkelen9541]

15:20 intense chewing for fuel

[@Chopper8472]

Why work for someone when you can easily start a business like consulting, for a living plus carrying on making money from youtube and you're affiliate links.

[@manavmusic1827]

shaheen shah afridi??

[@Wgg-iw4pz]

Geek

[@MikeSmith-rd9fi]

2-3am, wtf.

[@NUCLEAR154]

How would you handle corrupt Malta government staff member who posed as UK's government Head of Legal Dept in my court hearing on 9th March 2019 at City&Mayor's County Court London to steal my flat 2a york mansion 101 Barkston gardens 215 Earl's court road London SW5 9AF-Property

[@Chanelle208]

Who is this?

[@ikrasaleh6735]

FIRST