John O'Mahony | 1st seat Trainee
020 7065 1916
john.omahony@devonshires.co.uk
Current seat: Real Estate and Projects
08:40
I arrive in the office before 9am and catch up with other Trainees and Paralegals in my department. Once I have settled down at my desk, I start work by checking my emails and sorting my to-do list by prioritising the day’s most time-sensitive and important tasks.
09:00
My current seat is in the Real Estate & Projects department and I’m really enjoying the wide variety of work that I have been involved in so far. For example, today’s most urgent tasks include progressing a number of plot transfers, arranging for the publication of several trade marks and compiling planning discharges in relation to several developments. I begin by progressing the transfers.
10:00
As the transfers are due to complete today, I review the results of my OS2 searches and double check my findings with my supervisor. I then arrange for funds to be transferred and I complete the transfers over the phone. Although Trainees generally have a lot of individual responsibility with these transfers, I find it best to check in with my supervisor at each stage of a transfer to ensure that no mistakes have been made.
10:30
I review my ongoing trade mark matters. Although the firm does not have a recognised Intellectual Property team, we occasionally assist clients (e.g., Registered Providers and Housing Associations) with these issues when the need arises. I frequently liaise with our trade mark Attorney when renewing existing marks or notifying clients of potential infringements on their Intellectual Property.
13:00
I go for lunch with some of the other colleagues in my department. There are seven first-seat Trainees in the Real Estate & Projects department; working alongside other new joiners has really helped me settle in and make new friends within the firm.
14:00
As I am nearing the end of my first seat, I have a call scheduled with the HR Manager to discuss my next seat choices. This is also a really useful opportunity to talk about how I have settled into the firm so far and ask any questions I may have. In my meeting I list the Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Construction, and Corporate departments as my preferred choices. I have really enjoyed my current seat but would like to gain some litigation experience in the next seat rotation.
15:00
As part of a larger project, I liaise with several Councils to identify any planning conditions and decisions made in relation to multiple sites. Once I have all the relevant information, I will compile and summarise these for my client. This will ensure that the client is aware of what conditions are still in place across the sites.
17:30
I wrap things up and make a note of any tasks for tomorrow. I have signed up to the firm’s 5-a-side football team and we have our first match of the year. Since joining Devonshires, the firm has organised several activities and events which are a great way of socialising with colleagues and networking outside of the department.
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