A day in the life of… Minal Patel

I joined HCR Law in July 2025 and am based in the Corporate team in our Central England office. The firm’s comprehensive training and onboarding programme ensured I was well prepared and integrated into the team from day one. I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to several deals and transactions right from the start.

Welcome to a snapshot of what a typical day looks like in my life as a corporate solicitor.

My day starts with a mug of tea and watching the BBC news headlines. Before I know it, it’s time to jump in the car for my 35-minute commute to the office. I usually listen to a podcast or audiobook on the way.

Once I’m at my desk, I go through emails and catch up with my colleagues. Priorities often shift overnight, especially when dealing with a multi-party demerger and group reorganisation. I update my to-do list to reflect any urgent tasks, such as reviewing mark-ups or drafting documents.

Most mornings involve a Teams meeting for a deal update on an international sale transaction we’re acting on. We discuss progress, due diligence and the organisation of the data room, any documents that need turning around quickly, and next steps with the client.

I then spend the next few hours drafting or reviewing transaction documents. This often includes board resolutions, articles of association, asset purchase agreements, shareholder agreements or share purchase agreements.

Today, I had a call scheduled with a client to discuss responses to a shareholders’ agreement questionnaire. During the call, I took detailed notes and prepared a summary outlining the agreed next steps, which I then circulated via email.

Lunchtime is a great chance to unwind. I often head out with colleagues for lunch and, when the weather allows, we take a short walk in the nearby park or through the town centre.

In the afternoon, I help to finalise documents for a matter that’s completing and prepare the DocuSign envelopes and signing checklists.

I finish off any remaining tasks, send a quick update to the team and highlight anything that might need picking up later that evening or first thing the next day.

After work, I usually head to the gym for a workout, then spend the evening watching the latest show on Netflix.