As a trainee in our Private Client team in Perth, Cameron is on the path to qualifying as a solicitor. He shares why he chose our Perth traineeship, how exposure to high-quality work has supported his development, and the opportunities available beyond his core role.
What is one thing that surprised you about your traineeship at Gillespie Macandrew?
One of the things that stood out most to me during my traineeship was the level of responsibility I was trusted with from an early stage. I had the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work, engage directly with clients and gain exposure to live matters much sooner than I expected. What made the experience particularly valuable was the strong support network around me. Mentors and colleagues were always willing to offer guidance and share their expertise. That combination of trust, responsibility and support helped me build confidence, develop practical skills and make the most of every opportunity throughout my traineeship.
The Perth traineeship offers two seats compared to the Edinburgh traineeship, which offers four. Why did a more in-depth traineeship appeal to you?
The longer seat structure (1 year) was one of the main reasons the Perth traineeship appealed to me personally. Spending more time in each team gave me the chance to build a deeper understanding of the work, develop stronger relationships with colleagues and clients, and follow matters through their full lifetime.
The additional time also allowed me to naturally take on further responsibility as my confidence and experience grew to support that step. Overall, I think my Perth Traineeship gave me a well-rounded training experience and prepared me for my qualification.
What have you enjoyed most about your traineeship at Gillespie Macandrew?
The highlight of my traineeship has been the quality and depth of the work experience. I’ve had the opportunity to work on a good range of matters and gain exposure to different practice areas, which has helped me develop both technically and professionally.
Having completed both a transactional seat and a private client seat has been particularly valuable, as it has shown me how the two areas often overlap and complement one another. The breadth of experience has strengthened my legal knowledge and given me a better understanding of the different ways teams across the firm work together to fully support client needs.
How has Gillespie Macandrew supported your development during your legal traineeship?
Gillespie Macandrew has supported my development by providing a combination of high-quality work, knowledgeable mentors and ongoing feedback throughout my traineeship. I always felt comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance, while also being encouraged to take ownership of my work and progress myself with confidence.
The firm’s supportive and collaborative culture has played a big part in my development. Colleagues across the firm have always been generous with their time and willing to share their knowledge and experience, which has helped me grow in confidence and prepare for the transition to becoming a newly qualified solicitor.
What opportunities have you had to get involved in activities outside of your day-to-day legal work at Gillespie Macandrew?
Alongside my day-to-day work, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in a range of wider firm activities, including networking and business development events, as well as social events with colleagues across the firm. I’ve also taken part in various charity and community initiatives that reflect the firm’s ESG commitments. It really is a good place to become involved in different initiatives.
Applications for our 2028 Traineeships are now open and close on Monday 7th September 2026. Find out more and apply at Traineeships – Gillespie Macandrew
