There are also a number of opportunities to get involved in “non-client” (or “non-chargeable”) work and some firms as part of their bonus/incentive policies even require their lawyers to work a certain number of “non-client” hours. This kind of work can be equally as (or even more) interesting and can help to fill downtime. In reality, you will likely have periods where you have no “chargeable” work to do, for instance if your team is not particularly busy or you are waiting to receive back comments on a particular piece of work. Below is a list of the types of “non-client” or “non-chargeable” work that you may be able to get involved in as a trainee.
Business development: this essentially refers to time spent carrying out activities that are designed to strengthen relationships with clients or potential clients in order to win new instructions from existing clients and attract new clients to the firm.
Knowledge Management: firms tend to build up comprehensive pools of internal “knowledge”. This can include: template (or “standard form”) documents to use as the basis for drafting future documents; summaries and explanations of key cases, legislative provisions, legal guidance and changes in the law; and information on external advisers (including barristers and other professional services firms that the firm has engaged in the past).
Standard forms: these are template documents that are designed to provide a good starting point when drafting a new document. Firms tend to have comprehensive databases of “standard forms” for different types of documents (e.g. Sale and Purchase Agreements, Facility Agreements, Board Minutes etc.).