Davies trained as counsel (6)
I believe the answer is:
advise
'counsel' is the definition.
(I know that counsel can be written as advise)
'davies trained' is the wordplay.
'trained' indicates anagramming the letters (to train can mean to grow something into a shape).
'davies' is an anagram of 'ADVISE'.
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for advise that I've seen before include "Counsel, guide" , "Give guidance" , "Inform (of situation)" , "Issue warning" , "Make a recommendation" .)