Owen Proctor

• Spent time in Wood’s Legal, Contract, Commercial and Project Execution team after a competitive application and interview process. Gained experience reviewing incident investigations and contractual agreements while also learning how Shell EPC projects operate in practice. Drafted a partnership contract for a prospective commercial arrangement, which provided me with a clearer view of how legal and commercial work fit into the bigger picture and improved my ability to apply legal thinking in a practical, real-world setting.

• Completed a legal work placement at Shepherd and Wedderburn within the Private Equity department after successfully progressing through online aptitude testing and an in-person interview, gaining valuable insight into the practical role and impact of a lawyer. Assisted with tasks including drafting wills and supporting the distribution of assets by cross-referencing shareholdings. Also reviewed key documentation, carried out basic legal research, and observed elements of transactional work, which helped develop my understanding of estate planning, corporate structures, and the importance of accuracy and attention to detail in practice.

Took part in a casework module where we were placed into small “firms” of four to carry out a full conveyancing transaction. Involved preparing legal documentation required at each stage and meeting deadlines whilst making sure the client was kept informed throughout. This opportunity helped build confidence in applying legal knowledge in a practical setting, as well as improving my organisation and communication.

Alongside this, I enjoyed modules like Private Client, Employment Law and Civil Litigation, with Civil Litigation being the area I found most engaging. I enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of disputes and the structure of the litigation process. The fact that I enjoyed these different areas so much is a key reason why I am particularly interested in a traineeship with Holmes Mackillop, as the four-seat structure would give me the opportunity to experience a range of practice areas before specialising. This is important to me at this stage, as I am keen to build on my current experience, develop a well-rounded understanding of the law in practice, and continue refining my interests.