Jenna McCosh started out with Brodies in 2010, becoming the firm's first ever Aberdeen-based trainee. Now, she's a senior associate in Real Estate, specialising in commercial property transactions.
Why did you choose to work in Aberdeen?
I grew up in Edinburgh and started my traineeship in employment law there – a great first seat to start learning the ropes. I studied at Aberdeen university and really liked the city as a base, so when it was announced we were opening an Aberdeen office, I stuck my hand up to be its first trainee. In 2010/11 the central belt was still suffering the effects of the credit crunch whereas Aberdeen was experiencing an oil and gas boom, so I was keen to get some different experience and try out a new place and work with a new team.
What has been your most standout/unique trainee or NQ experience in Aberdeen?
When I started in Aberdeen there were only three lawyers and my to-do list for the first few months involved dealing with stacks of files/titles for clients that my supervising partner had brought from his previous firm. I remember being a bit worried that I wasn't proving myself very capable with commercial property matters… but 11 years on I'm genuinely still finding those carefully detailed inventories massively helpful. It might not sound like the most exciting task in the world but whatever it is you are asked to do - if you do it properly with enthusiasm it's still worthwhile and appreciated, and you can pick up a lot from absorbing what's happening around you.
How do you find working in the Aberdeen office?
I've always found it a friendly and fun office to be part of– even as the office has grown from five to 100+ people, you still get to know most folk by name. There's a really supportive atmosphere – both workwise if you need a hand – but also on the social and charity events front – they're always very well attended. I realised pretty early on that I wanted to focus on real estate, but what was so valuable was also getting a bit of experience with litigation, banking, corporate etc during my traineeship as all of those elements come up in property deals and vice versa.
Do you have any advice for anyone considering moving to work in Aberdeen?
I'd thoroughly recommend it – both as an office and as a city – there are lots of exciting opportunities and it's a lovely office to enjoy. What you imagine yourself doing when you leave university is often not what you end up finding yourself enjoying when you get a taste of the real work, so keep an open mind.
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