  |
 |
 |
Gabriel Boghossian, originally from Rome - Trainee.
How does an Armenian-Italian, raised in Belgium, end up training at Dickson Minto to be a Scottish solicitor?
I first studied law at the University of Edinburgh with the intention of specialising in international law. As I progressed in the LLB course, I became more interested in business and I realised that I wanted a career that was more commercial in nature. I applied to several corporate and commercial firms for summer placements including, on the recommendation of a tutor, Dickson Minto.
My summer placement with DM allowed me to work in three different seats in the Edinburgh office and get a taste of the very different work done in each. A combination of top professionalism and the collegiate spirit made it easy to feel welcomed and a part of the group. The lawyers were both motivated and excited by their jobs. My placement made the study of law feel almost irrelevant and confirmed that I wanted a future in corporate law. I left my summer placement at DM having agreed to return as a trainee.
The firm is unique in offering real 'City' work and this allows you to experience the full gamut of corporate work from advisory services to large transactions. My first six months were in a public companies seat, with a steep learning curve but varied and interesting work. I was able to experience listed company work first-hand, including a cross-border acquisition. It was also nice to be taken for a completion dinner in London to celebrate the completion of the deal!
I am currently in my second seat, private company acquisitions. It includes generous amounts of client contact and an extremely varied workload. It comprises as much commercial advice as legal drafting and is precisely what I had envisaged doing.
The opportunity to spend six months, all expenses paid, in the London office is a treat that we are all looking forward to. It is rare for Scottish trainees to be guaranteed the experience of being a 'City lawyer' for at least one seat in their traineeship but DM ensure all trainees gain such experience.
A comprehensive set of seminars and training sessions ensure that everyone from partner to trainee is constantly being trained, not only on changes to company law but issues such as employment, tax and intellectual property.
Socially, DM has a dynamic schedule of events throughout the year, which make for a cohesive and fun work environment. These include go-carting, ghost tours; touch rugby, five-a-side football and plenty of after work drinks.
And finally, in spite of some of the scare stories about the hours, they are just that. Scare stories. As with school or university, when a deadline approaches, some late night work may be required but it is by no means the norm and a healthy work/life balance is perfectly achievable working at DM.
