Graeme Black

Director, Private Clients at Bonnetts Solicitors

What attracted you to a career in law?

I was finishing my geography degree and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, I saw the opportunity to do a Post Graduate Diploma in Law and then understood more about the law and what working in a law firm might be like – it became something that I felt I would like to do and be suited to.

Can you tell us more about your careers progression so far?

I trained at a one partner High Street firm in Fleet, progressed to a larger practice in Woking where I remained for eight and a half years and became the head of my department, then moved to Bonnetts 5 years ago and where I have been one of the owners for the last 3 years.

What was your first graduate job?

Bar work, but then I was a paralegal in a small one partner high street firm.

Where did you start your career?

Wills Chandler Beach in Fleet – they no longer exist, unfortunately.

If you could go back in time and give your undergraduate self, one piece of advice what would it be?

Don’t waste my time on wanting to work in the city with my grades. I sent so many applications to large firms, thinking I would be a big shot city lawyer – it was never the right career choice for me.

What advice would you give to students considering a career in law and applying for vacation schemes and training contracts?

Keep applying. It seems, sometimes, as though sheer weight of numbers can do the trick, but also look to have something on your CV which sets you apart – voluntary work, work experience in a law firm, something which shows that you have an attitude whereby you are willing to go above and beyond that which many others will.

Did you do any work experience or volunteering roles whilst you were at university? 

I did a two week vacation placement – that was all I was able to get, but I was thrilled to get it.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of a career in law?

The law is a good career, you will need to be prepared to work hard, be diligent and make sure that you pay particular attention to detail.

What do you feel are the key qualities someone needs to work as a lawyer in your field?

As a private client lawyer you need to be compassionate, enjoy meeting people, and finding ways to save their problems and difficulties – every day presents different exam type scenarios.

Are there any developments in the legal sector that aspiring lawyers should be aware of?

There is talk of changes around how training contracts are going to work and so on and of course with these COVID times and successive lockdowns law firms are becoming a bit more agile in terms of working from home, use of technology and so on.

What have been the highlights of your career so far?

I enjoy meeting new clients and helping to guide them through difficult times and or difficult decisions.