We are pleased to highlight the FWA spotlight feature of Forida Begum.

Forida, an Edinburgh University graduate and Newly Qualified Solicitor, completed her traineeship with Livingstone Brown Solicitors in July 2024. She was delighted to accept an NQ position at Beveridge & Kellas WS, where she specialises in Executry Administration within the Private Client Team.

Meet our next FWA Spotlight Candidate, Forida, who trained at Livingstone Brown Solicitors:

Did you enjoy your traineeship?

“Yes, I found my traineeship rewarding – it provided the perfect balance of practical experience and professional development. Working directly with clients while being mentored by seasoned solicitors gave me a robust foundation in Scottish legal practice. The blend of responsibility and guidance helped me transition confidently from academia to real- world law.”

Where did you train?

“I completed my traineeship at Livingstone Brown Solicitors in Glasgow, a firm well regarded for its structured training programme and collegiate atmosphere. Their approach to nurturing trainees through hands on casework while maintaining strong supervisory support was particularly valuable.”

What areas of law did you experience in your traineeship?

“I gained experience in Family Law, Employment Law and had some insight into Private Client work. In Family Law, I assisted clients with parental/ grandparental contact, separation and division of matrimonial property. I also dealt with guardianship cases. In Employment Law I was involved in a variety of claims as well as tribunal preparation, assisting Counsel and settlement negotiations. Alongside this, I dealt with removal of previous conviction cases and Simple Procedure claims. With regards to my experience in Private Client, I assisted clients in drawing up their Will, both simple and complex – this exposure ultimately shaped my career direction.”

What was the most challenging part of your traineeship?

“Balancing multiple practice areas simultaneously required constant mental gear shifting. One week might involve sensitive child contact negotiations followed by analysis of complex Employment regulations, then drafting a Will. This variety accelerated my adaptability and taught me to manage competing priorities effectively – skills that serve me daily in private client work.”

What do you do now as an NQ?

“As a newly qualified solicitor at Beveridge & Kellas, I specialise in executry administration within our Private Client team. My role involves guiding bereaved clients through the intricacies of estate winding-up under Scots law, from initial Confirmation applications to final distribution. I particularly value collaborating with my colleagues to navigate complexities such as potential inheritance tax implications.”

Why did you choose to specialise in this area?

“Private Client law combines technical work with human impact. During my Diploma studies, I appreciated how this field allows solicitors to protect clients’ legacies while navigating emotionally charged situations. My traineeship supervisor demonstrated how skilled executry handling can bring closure during difficult times – that meaningful aspect resonated deeply with me.”

How did you find the process of finding an NQ position?

“Surprisingly straightforward, thanks to specialist legal recruiters like Jade at Frasia Wright Associates. Her insight into firms’ cultural nuances was invaluable – she identified Beveridge & Kellas as an ideal match based on my preference for collaborative environments with strong client care ethics. The firm’s transparent interview process reinforced that this was where I could grow as a practitioner.”

If you could give one interview tip for finding an NQ role, what would it be?

“Authenticity trumps perfection. When interviewing here, I focused on demonstrating genuine enthusiasm for client service rather than pretending to have all the answers. Employers recognise that NQs bring fresh perspectives – highlighting my willingness to learn complex executry procedures while maintaining approachability proved more effective than overemphasising technical knowledge.”

What are you enjoying most about your NQ role?

“The trust to manage my own caseload while knowing support is always available. Recently, I handled a cross-border executry involving Scottish assets and Turkish heritable property independently yet could consult a Partner when issues arose. This balance between autonomy and mentorship accelerates development remarkably.”

*All Forida’s views are her own unless otherwise stated, and do not represent the views of any firm/business, which she is affiliated with. The information provided in this article does not constitute as legal advice.

I hope you have found this Soundbite useful. See our dedicated NQ Outlook™ Career Centre for more information on positions and career advice. https://www.frasiawright.com/nq-career-centre/

If you would like to discuss anything further or obtain a copy of our CV handbook, if you haven’t already, feel free to contact me, jade@frasiawright.com or stephanie@frasiawright.com.