I started my training contract with Edwards Angell Palmer and Dodge (EAPD) in September 2008, which was a long time in coming given that I commenced my law degree at the University of Essex in 1998. I had decided at school that I wanted to become a solicitor, but was determined to do something a bit different first. So after graduation, I joined the British Army and spent six years serving as an infantry officer. I think having a bit of life experience really helps at EAPD and it's refreshing when you chat to people in the office, how everyone has so much more about them than a simple desire to work in law.

When it came to applying for training contracts, I spent quite a lot of time researching firms. This was going to be a second career for me and therefore a big step. EAPD (or Kendall Freeman as it was back then) offered a lot of the things I was looking for. They were really strong in litigation, and quite uniquely offered a seat in public international law, which sounded interesting. They also seemed to punch well above their weight, offering the highest quality of work whilst boasting a relatively small London team.

Since I accepted EAPD's offer of a training contract I have really come to appreciate my choice. Long before setting foot in the office I was made to feel part of the firm. You are invited to plenty of socials (including the annual Trainee Winter Parties) and I made sure I attended as many as I could. That way, by the time I started, I already knew all the other trainees and quite a few other friendly faces. It was also useful to receive the biannual trainee newsletter Trainee Days, which provides a light-hearted snapshot of what the firm is doing.

I am now in my third seat and on secondment to Harrods, following seats in commercial litigation and insurance litigation. The variety of work and training I received in my first two seats has provided an excellent grounding for a secondment. A secondment offers a real opportunity to get involved in a wide array of work and to take on extra responsibility but you need to have confidence in yourself and your knowledge to make the most of it. It is busy at Harrods but I am really enjoying it so far.

I also like the social side of being a trainee at EAPD. There's sixteen trainees in total, which means we have all got to know each other pretty well, but there is enough of us that someone is always up for a beer (supplemented of course by the associates and support staff)! I also play for the firm's 5 a-side football team, which is another good way of getting to know some of your colleagues as well as clients, who we sometimes play friendly matches against.

The firm underwent a merger in January 2008 with a really strong US firm to become EAPD. This means that although the London office maintains its collegiate atmosphere, it is now supported by a network of overseas offices in the US and Hong Kong. As a trainee this provides another dimension to the training contract not to mention the chance of an overseas secondment.