Rupali Gupta
Solicitor
Mental Health Law
Former Trainee Rupali Gupta, now a Solicitor in our Mental Health Law Department in Wakefield, discusses her experience
I started as a trainee in 2002. Until early 2009 I worked as a solicitor specialising purely in private family law based at the Wakefield office. However, I developed an interest in Mental Health Law and with the support of the firm's Partners, I gradually developed my knowledge and skill in this area, working more and more in Mental Health, until in late 2009 I moved full time to the Mental Health Law department.
As a graduate from a non-law background (I studied Linguistics at University College London before doing the PGDL and LPC at the College of Law, York) I was sceptical about firms taking on trainees who had not studied Law at degree level but was pleasantly surprised with the open-minded attitude at my interview.
Switalskis gives trainee solicitors a high level of responsibility from day one, which although daunting at first ensures you develop the necessary skills to become a successful solicitor. As a trainee, though, I had the benefit of a high level of support and when guidance was required there was always somebody available to approach. I was always made to feel that I could go to my supervisor when I didn't understand something. The balance of work allocated to me was just right - challenging but not out of my depth.
One of the things I enjoyed the most about my training was experiencing the variety of work. I got the opportunity to work in completely different areas of law. I spent my first seat in the family department then went onto crime followed by asylum before returning and remaining in my chosen area of family law post qualification.
Before applying for training contracts I did a lot of research into the kind of firm I wanted to work for. I knew the type of law that interested me - but I did not want to work for just any firm: I wanted to work for a firm with a good reputation.
Switalskis has expanded rapidly since I joined as a trainee, offering expert advice and representation in many more areas. I have seen Switalskis grow from strength to strength and feel fortunate enough to be able to say that I work for a firm now recognised as a leading national legal aid firm. Looking back, Switalskis just felt like the right decision. Most of all I like the people - the firm also has a young and innovative outlook - not 'stuffy', with individuals that are friendly, open and down to earth.