Sydney secondment story

There really is something to be said for having a panoramic view of Sydney harbour from your office window…

Spending the final six months of my training contract in the corporate group at Allens Arthur Robinson has been a brilliant experience so far. I received a very warm welcome - particularly from the group of fellow graduates who started on the same day. The continuing friendliness of my colleagues, along with regular group lunches and drinks parties, has made settling in very easy.

I have enjoyed a variety of interesting work, from advising on a proposed business integration to drafting new legislation. The supportive working culture at Allens and the fact that everyone is so approachable makes for an excellent learning environment. Already I feel that I have gained experience and confidence, which will ease my upcoming transition to being a qualified lawyer.

Sydney is a fantastic city to live in. It has a relaxed atmosphere, and offers a wide variety of events, food and nightlife to compete with the world's greatest cities. Sydney's magnificent natural beauty means that there is a lot to see and the city is compact enough to navigate on foot. As well as the must-see visitor spots, I have discovered great shops, cafés and markets in some of its lesser-known districts.

There are also an abundance of open spaces in which to enjoy the glorious sunshine, with countless parks and beautiful beaches within easy reach from where I am living.

My secondment has been a great highlight of my training contract and I would highly recommend the experience to future trainees.

• Kate Leahy
• Trainee secondment