We are delighted to share the news that Rachael McAnulty and Maciej Pasierb have completed their training contracts and have qualified as Solicitors with the firm.
Rachael has joined our growing Commercial and Employment teams and Maciej strengthens our Wills, Probate and Estate Planning team in our Swindon office.
We asked both Rachael and Maciej a series of questions to share their legal journey and advice they would give to aspiring Solicitors.
Why did you decide to choose law as your career path?
Rachael: I studied Law at A Level and university, but after graduating I wasn’t sure whether a legal career was right for me, or if it was, what area of law I could see myself practising in the future. I decided that I would spend some time getting work experience. I worked in-house as a legal assistant at a retailer, and from then on I knew that I wanted to qualify as a solicitor and work with businesses.
Maciej: I always found helping someone navigate a complex problem rewarding. I believe being a specialist in an area of law gives you the opportunity to do that.
What is a quote that you live by and why?
Rachael: My colleague has a desk calendar which has a quote for each day, and the quote it gives on my qualification day is: “practice makes progress not perfect.” While it is not necessarily a quote I live by, it is definitely something I have come to realise on my journey to qualification!
Maciej: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”. During my legal training I found that being persistent will eventually lead to making progress.
What have you most enjoyed on your journey to becoming a Solicitor?
Rachael: One of the best parts about training at GL has been the breadth of work. Not one day has been the same as another. I have been fortunate to have undertaken training seats in a wide variety of areas, which has afforded me the opportunity to explore my career options.
I have also enjoyed the social side of GL, and since 2022 I have co-chaired our CSR Committee. Working alongside our Charities of the Year has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and has allowed me to gain confidence, build relationships, and develop my soft skills.
Maciej: I particularly enjoyed the training contract stage of my law career, where I had the opportunity to experience working in various areas of law, with very different teams and personalities.
If you could step into the shoes of another GL member who would it be and why?
Rachael: I would love to experience what it is like to work in our Marketing team as I think it would bring a fresh perspective to the firm’s work. The team have arranged some fantastic events and have more lined up for 2024, and I am interested in seeing what goes on behind the scenes.
Maciej: I would like to step into the shoes of one of our Technology team members. Gaining an insight into how they implement new technologies to help our practice and the process behind improving our current systems would be an interesting experience.
Do you have any advice that you would give anyone looking to become a Solicitor?
Rachael: I have found my legal journey thus far to have been both rewarding and challenging. If I were to give one piece of advice, it would be to actively seek and take opportunities. You never know what might happen!
Maciej: Step out of your comfort zone, it’s the quickest way to learn!
Derek Rodgers, our Managing Partner added “Maciej and Rachael have both been impressive trainees and it is great to see them taking the next steps in their careers with Gardner Leader. I have got no doubt that both of them will make a great contribution in the teams they are joining.”
Find out more about our current career openings and what you can expect from a career at Gardner Leader here.