8.30am: I arrive at work and check my emails to see if anything urgent has been sent to me before my arrival. I have got in to work a little earlier today as there is a recommended takeover going on at the moment, for which my supervisor is leading the deal. Today we are submitting a further proof of the draft combined circular and prospectus and, following production of the amended document overnight, I need to check that all amendments from the involved parties have been inserted before it can be circulated.

9.30am: Once I have checked all of the amendments have gone in, I speak to the associate involved to confirm this to him, and then set about compiling the checklists that detail the prospectus rule and listing rule annotations necessary before submission to the UK Listing Authority (UKLA).

11.00am: Nearing the end of completing the checklists, another associate asks me to conduct an urgent company search and winding up petition for a company that is about to do an initial public offering (IPO). I do this as quickly as I can and prepare a file note that details my findings.

12.15pm: The checklists are complete and I circulate them to the banks involved in the transaction with the latest draft of the prospectus before submission to the UKLA later on.

12.30pm: There are frequent guest speaker talks at the firm, and this lunchtime there is a sports correspondent and former sports editor at the BBC who has come to speak about whether sport shapes culture. It is very enjoyable and a good way to broaden the mind.

1.30pm: Where possible, I attend sessions at a local secondary school as a volunteer for the lawyers in schools programme. Once a month a group of trainees, associates and partners from the firm can spend time running citizenship classes. It is heartening to take part in pro bono work, and a great way to develop skills on a personal level as well.

2.30pm: I arrive back at the office and find that my supervisor has forwarded an email to me from a client wanting to know more about the cross-border merger directive. I am asked to prepare a research note on this topic. I set about researching the area of law, and speak to an associate who took part in a training session that covered this directive. It is very helpful to be able to approach associates so easily and frankly as part of the firm's open-door policy. She also refers me to another associate to speak to, who has a collection of notes on the topic.

4.00pm: I check with the banks that the draft prospectus has been submitted to the UKLA, and after a short conversation, I circulate the latest draft to all parties.

4.10pm: After this, and having gathered my own research and that from my colleagues concerning the cross-border merger directive, I read it all through and start to form a concise note that will be detailed but also client-friendly.

6.00pm: My note is complete and ready to send to my supervisor just before departmental training. Every month, the department in which I sit runs informative group training sessions for all fee-earners that cover topics and transactions that are commonly tackled by the department.

7.00pm: I head back to my office to check my emails, and then check with my supervisor if there is anything further that I can help with this evening. I remind him that I have a professional skills course session the following morning. These sessions run throughout the training contract as a Law Society requirement, and tomorrow's session is on commercial contracts. I check that I have all the materials ready for this in preparation for tomorrow, and then head off to the gym across the road for a spin class.