Crossword Genius

Opening for legal trainees involved being shelled on a plane? (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tree snail

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'shelled on a plane?' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'opening for legal trainees involved' is the wordplay.
'opening for' suggests taking the first letters.
'involved' is an anagram indicator (involved can mean confusing or complex).
The first letter of 'legal' is 'l'.
'l'+'trainees'='ltrainees'
'ltrainees' anagrammed gives 'TREE SNAIL'.

'being' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app