Day in the life of a Northridge trainee
8:45am
I have recently got into the habit of running before work and so I try to take advantage of the firm’s subsidised gym membership and head to the gym most mornings.
I get into the office just before 9:00am to make myself a cup of tea, check my emails and create a “to-do” list for the day.
9:15am
This morning we have an all-firm meeting, so I make my way to the boardroom. These take place on a fortnightly basis and are a great opportunity to get an overview of the various matters that other departments are working on.
Yesterday was football transfer deadline day, so we spent the beginning of the meeting discussing the team’s work on the last-minute player transfers that they assisted with.
10am
Immediately following our firm meeting I jump on a Teams call with a Managing Associate and Partner to discuss the next steps in an ongoing dispute involving a sportsperson’s settlement agreement with his former employer. I am allocated a research project to assist counsel in formulating our submissions before the Player Related Disputes Commission.
10:45am
When I return to my desk, I spend the next few hours completing the research project and responding to other ad-hoc queries that enter my inbox. As I am often working on quite a few matters at the same time, I have found it helpful to keep my inbox as organised as I can.
1pm
This lunchtime, as part of the Northridge Academy, the firm has organised a training session on financial regulations in sport. As a firm, we are often tasked with providing advice on this topic across various sports, so this interactive session is a helpful opportunity to ask questions and improve my understanding.
2pm
After lunch, I spend time reviewing my research task before emailing it to the partner and turning my attention to another matter.
2:30pm
I grab a coffee with my principal and spend half an hour discussing my workload and a few other general queries I have. As a trainee, I have regular scheduled catch ups with my principal which are a useful way to raise any questions I have and to catch up more generally.
3:15pm
An associate asks if I can review her article for the LawInSport website regarding the regulations surrounding transgender athletes in sport. I use this opportunity to develop my understanding of the matter and review the drafting techniques of a senior fee earner.
5pm
I am tasked with drafting a letter to a sport’s governing body, following an allegation that our client has breached their rules and regulations. I spend time reviewing the relevant governing body’s handbook and researching the facts of the matter at hand. I make a list of additional questions that we will ask the client tomorrow before drafting the letter.
7pm
I usually leave the office around 7:00pm but this can vary depending on workload. As there is nothing pressing to assist with, I finalise my to-do list for tomorrow, close my time recording and head home.
