We were recently delighted to welcome aspiring solicitor Rae O’Neill into the Clinical Negligence fold for two seperate weeks of work experience. At the end of her time with us, we asked Rae to share her thoughts on working at Pabla & Pabla.
My time at Pabla & Pabla Solicitors has been one of the most valuable and inspiring experiences in my journey towards becoming a solicitor apprentice. I have been lucky enough to complete two separate weeks of work experience alongside the Clinical Negligence team, in August 2025 and February 2026. Being exposed to Pabla’s professional working environment has allowed me to deepen my understanding of the key skills and qualities I need to develop in order to gain success within this profession, while also building my confidence and practical skills.
During my week experience in August, I shadowed Sophie, a paralegal, and completed my own mock case. This experience exceeded my expectations. I had hoped to gain a clear understanding about day to day responsibilities within a firm, yet instead I was given meaningful, hands on tasks allowing me to feel like a member of the clinical negligence team.
I had expected to purely observe the professionals, but I was trusted to acquire the knowledge to act as one. For my mock case, I drafted documents, discussed aspects with the team, and completed a quantum analysis, before presenting my findings at the end of the week.
This practical experience allowed me to build a foundation for my legal knowledge, particularly in understanding how liability and damages are assessed within claims. I also strengthened my critical thinking, confidence and I was able to work on my ability to apply legal principles to realistic scenarios.
My experience in February was no different. I worked with Hamza and acted as a junior paralegal, requesting documents from medical experts, requiring me to draft emails and speak with the experts over the phone. Initially, this was daunting, yet with guidance and encouragement from the team, I quickly gained confidence, seeing a significant improvement in my verbal and written communication by the end of the week.
I now manage to maintain a professional tone, whilst ensuring clarity, when corresponding in a legal context. These interactions not only strengthened my professionalism but also enhanced my confidence for face to face situations, which is essential for my future career.
One of the highlights of my time, was the opportunity to listen in on a conference call relating to a case. Observing this discussion provided me with an understanding into the distinct roles of a solicitor and barrister. It was particularly interesting to observe how both professionals collaborated with the medical expert, who relayed their knowledge to build a strong, well supported case. I am now able to understand the importance of discussion and the way the different roles compliment each other to achieve the most appropriate outcome.
Beyond the knowledge I gained, the firms welcoming and supportive atmosphere stood out. Every member took the time to answer my questions and explain concepts clearly. Experiencing a positive workplace, with balance between productivity and morale, reinforced my interest to work within a collaborative firm, aligning with my morals, in the future.
Overall, my time at Pabla & Pabla Solicitors has solidified my ambition to pursue a career as a solicitor apprentice. The experiences Pablas have provided have allowed me to master professional skills, absorb legal knowledge and confirm my passion about the legal world.
Thank you Pabla & Pabla Solicitors!
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