Sarah Buzuk is a Trainee in AG and is based in Aberdeen.

Five years ago, she had completed her degree in law but was unsure of where her career would lead her. 

'5 years ago I never thought I would …'

Be working as a trainee solicitor in our Aberdeen office. 

Exactly five years ago I graduated from the University of Edinburgh with my undergraduate degree in law. I was happily content with the fact that I had actually managed to secure my degree and as a 'breather' I decided that it was the perfect time to step away from law and experience something else for a change.

I managed to secure a position as a private client tax compiler with a well-known national accountancy firm for the summer and thought that this was the perfect opportunity to learn what it would be like to work in a professional sector outside of law. If I'm honest, it was challenging. The only tax knowledge I previously had was in relation to a three-month revenue law course I decided to take during my second year at university, and that could only take me so far. However, I ended up staying at that firm for just over a year and a half and I can tell you right now that the lessons I learned whilst working there are still with me today. 

That role led me to applying for a newly created paralegal role in the Edinburgh Hub at AG. I decided that I wanted to go back to what I knew and wanted a bit more variety in the work that I was involved in, and that is exactly what I got. The Edinburgh Hub was set up to provide assistance across the various divisions which meant that our working days were incredibly varied. One day I'd be working on company search reports for the finance team, whilst the next I'd be preparing a trial bundle for the litigation team. It's safe to say that no two days were the same and the work was always exciting. 

It was during my time as a paralegal that I decided that a career in law was definitely something that I wanted. A lot of people already know this about me, but I applied three times before I was offered a training contract. What was even more unexpected was that I was given the option to start my training contract immediately if I wanted to start it in our Aberdeen office. Of course I accepted and it was the best decision that I made. I was over the moon! I never thought that when I was graduating from university that I would be in this position because I always thought that a training contract was just out of reach.

Working at Addleshaw Goddard over the last three and a half years has been incredible. Not one day goes by that I'm not happy to be here. I have made some amazing friends, learned new ways of working, and have even discovered a new city with my move to Aberdeen. Although I wasn't here when the merger happened, I think that the opportunities that we have at our firm are endless. We really are spoiled for choice.