First Year Qualified – Meet Solicitor Lewis Claxton
In June, Commercial Property Solicitor Lewis Claxton celebrated his first year as a qualified solicitor at Taylor Walton. We caught up with Lewis to reflect on his journey into law, his first year with the firm, and his advice for aspiring solicitors.
Congratulations on your first year as a qualified solicitor! How does it feel to reach this milestone?
Lewis: It’s a great feeling. It’s been an eight-year journey since leaving school, so reaching this point is something I’m really proud of. I always knew I wanted to become a lawyer, but it’s a very competitive profession and I’ve had to work hard and make the most of every opportunity along the way. Looking back, it’s been worth it, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead at Taylor Walton.
Tell us about your route into the legal profession.
Lewis: After studying Law and International Relations at the University of Sussex, I joined a law firm in my hometown of Bedford as a Paralegal. While working there, I completed my Legal Practice Course (LPC) and a Master’s in Law, Business and Management part-time. I then secured a training contract with a firm in Cambridgeshire before joining Taylor Walton as a Commercial Property Solicitor in 2025.
I think many graduates expect to leave university and go straight into a training contract, but that’s not always how it works. Starting as a paralegal gave me invaluable practical experience and helped me build my career from the ground up.
What skills have helped you succeed?
Lewis: Obviously, the academic qualifications are essential, but I think your people skills are just as important. A lot of those skills came from experiences outside of law, whether through sport or part-time jobs in retail and hospitality. Those roles taught me how to communicate with different people, work as part of a team and build relationships.
In such a competitive industry, it’s important to identify what makes you different. Your qualifications may get you through the door, but your personality, attitude and ability to work with people can really help you stand out.
What attracted you to Taylor Walton?
Lewis: After researching the firm, I was really impressed by its reputation and culture. Taylor Walton is highly respected both locally and nationally, with recognition across multiple legal disciplines. It felt like the kind of environment where I could continue learning, develop my career and work alongside some of the best lawyers in the region.
What does your role involve?
Lewis: I work in the Commercial Property team in our Luton office, supporting clients across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London. Much of my work involves advising commercial landlords on the management of their properties and leases, while also assisting investors and developers with buying and selling a wide range of commercial property.
I also work with high-net-worth individuals who have extensive commercial property portfolios and have enjoyed advising a number of sports clubs over the past year, from bowls clubs to rugby clubs, which has been an interesting niche.
What does a typical day look like?
Lewis: No two days are ever the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about commercial property. It’s a fast-paced area of law and most of my day is spent managing my own caseload, while also supporting senior colleagues on larger transactions.
Our team is incredibly experienced and collaborative. There’s always someone to turn to if you need advice or want to discuss a complex issue. Beyond giving legal advice, a big part of my role is project managing transactions, bringing together all the different parties involved to help clients achieve their objectives as efficiently as possible.
What have you enjoyed most about your first year?
Lewis: Working with a wide variety of clients and continuing to develop my experience has been really rewarding. I’ve also enjoyed working closely with senior colleagues on larger and more complex transactions, which has helped me continue learning. Building relationships with clients and seeing those relationships grow over time has been another real highlight.
What are your goals for the next 12 months?
Lewis: I’d like to become even more involved in networking and attending local business events on behalf of the firm. Building relationships within the local business community is something I’m looking forward to, and I’m excited to continue developing relationships with both existing and new clients.
Given the current economic climate, clients are looking for practical legal advice that gives them certainty and helps protect their investments, so continuing to support them through that is something I’m keen to build on.
Finally, what advice would you give to anyone considering a career in law?
Lewis: Persevere. It can be difficult to get your foot in the door, but every opportunity helps you build experience. Firms like Taylor Walton offer placements and training opportunities, but competition is strong, so you need to be focused and prepared to work hard.
Don’t underestimate the value of your soft skills or experiences outside of law. Build your personal brand, be willing to learn and, most importantly, be yourself. Those qualities can make a real difference.
If you have any questions about the contents of this article, or you would like to reach out to a member of our team, you can contact us here.
Disclaimer: General Information Provided Only
Please note that the contents of this article are intended solely for general information purposes and should not be considered as legal advice. We cannot be held responsible for any loss resulting from actions or inactions taken based on this article.
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