Donna Seferta, Newly Qualified Solicitor, was a trainee at the firm 2005 - 2007

"I first came into contact with Irwin Mitchell in my second year of University when I spent two weeks at Irwin Mitchell's Birmingham office on work experience. This was
my first encounter of how different the practice of the law is in comparison to the study. Following my work experience, I managed to secure a six month position as a secretary/paralegal in Irwin Mitchell's Employment department in Birmingham. I secured my training contract with Irwin Mitchell while I was working in the Birmingham office.

I spent my first year as a trainee in Sheffield. My first seat was in the Commercial Legal Expense Department where I assisted with consumer, commercial and property litigation claims. My second seat was in the Professional Negligence department, here I assisted in claims against solicitors, barristers, surveyors, architects and financial advisors. Here I learnt what not to do as a qualified solicitor!!! My third seat saw me back in the Employment department in Birmingham and for my fourth seat I returned to the Professional Negligence department in Sheffield. I have assisted colleagues at all levels throughout my training contract and have worked closely with assistant solicitors, associate solicitors and partners in each team I have trained in.

I am due to qualify in September 2007 and have secured a qualified position back in the Employment department where my career with Irwin Mitchell began.
I have made some lifelong friends whilst being a trainee at Irwin Mitchell and the support trainees offer to each other as a group is invaluable. There is always something happening socially at the firm, be it drinks on a Friday, marketing events or the firm's Summer rounders/cricket match. As a trainee you are encouraged to work hard but also to enjoy the social side of the firm.

It can be quite incomprehensible when you realise how much you have learnt during the short time of your training contract and the high level that you reach is due to the high standard of training that you receive at Irwin Mitchell".