Future Trainee Series: Fleur Florin

Fleur Florin, Future Trainee Solicitor at Norton Rose Fulbright — On Standing Out, Securing a Training Contract and Building a Legal CareerIn this episode, Fleur swaps the interviewer's chair for the guest seat to reflect on the biggest lessons she's learned from interviewing aspiring lawyers and future trainees who have successfully secured training contracts at leading law firms.Fleur explains that one theme emerged consistently throughout every conversation: the strongest candidates all had a genuine reason for pursuing commercial law. Rather than chasing the profession for prestige or salary, they had developed authentic interests through books, work experience, university or part-time jobs and that enthusiasm naturally came across during interviews and assessment centres.The conversation explores how candidates can improve their communication skills, from reducing filler words and becoming more articulate to practising interview answers by speaking aloud. Fleur shares the technique she used to prepare for assessment centres and vacation schemes, including talking to herself in the mirror every day and discussing recent Financial Times and Bloomberg stories to build confidence and fluency.The episode also dives into the importance of body language and presentation during interviews. Fleur explains why making eye contact with the camera during video interviews, improving posture and practising confident communication can make a significant difference throughout the recruitment process.A major focus of the discussion is standing out during assessment centres and vacation schemes. Fleur explains why applicants should avoid becoming either invisible or overbearing during group exercises, instead aiming to be collaborative, personable and someone that colleagues would genuinely enjoy working alongside.The conversation explores how aspiring lawyers can differentiate themselves long before submitting an application. Fleur argues that building a broad range of experiences—through part-time jobs, leadership positions, sport, societies, internships and open days—creates stronger interview answers and demonstrates genuine commercial awareness far more effectively than academic results alone.Fleur also shares practical advice on networking and integrating into law firms during vacation schemes, including proactively joining firm societies, attending social events and making genuine connections with people across the business rather than focusing exclusively on lawyers.The discussion highlights the growing importance of understanding businesses from the inside. Whether working in retail, hospitality, construction or another industry, Fleur explains how commercial work experience helps aspiring lawyers understand clients, communicate more effectively and develop practical commercial awareness.Finally, Fleur encourages aspiring lawyers to stop waiting for opportunities to appear. From cold-emailing companies for work experience to attending open days and building skills outside the classroom, she explains why consistent initiative and persistence often separate successful applicants from everyone else.00:00 Introduction  00:20 Lessons from Interviewing Future Trainees  01:00 Finding Your Genuine Motivation  02:00 Speaking with Confidence  03:00 Practising for Interviews  04:00 Body Language & Video Interviews  05:00 Standing Out at Assessment Centres  06:00 Confidence Without Being Overbearing  07:00 Building a Strong CV Beyond Academics  08:00 Why Sport & Leadership Matter  09:00 Networking During Vacation Schemes  10:00 Understanding Businesses & Clients  11:00 Cold Outreach & Finding Work Experience  12:00 Taking Initiative Early in Your Career  13:00 Final Advice for Aspiring Lawyers