Hannah V

Profile:

My background is unusual for a trainee public lawyer: I studied music at university, and went on to work in the arts, the charity sector and an independent record company. Working on legal issues there led me to take a Masters in Entertainment Law at the University of Westminster; following the GDL and LPC, I started as a trainee in the Government Legal Department in 2018, and will qualify later this year.

Beginning a new career is a daunting prospect, and the support I received from Aspiring Solicitors was invaluable in navigating an area quite new to me. I had to learn first how to research potential employers, particularly those who value applicants with work experience outside the legal sphere; and in fact it was a presentation given by a fellow AS ambassador working for the Government Legal Department which made me aware of its support for career changers and focus on diversity, as well as the wide range of work open to government lawyers.

I also had to learn how to apply my experience to legal situations, and what other skills I needed to acquire to make, eventually, a successful application: Aspiring Solicitors application workshops and practice interviews helped enormously, and I would urge anyone moving into law from another career to take advice from Chris and the rest of the AS team. And if I can be of any help, particularly to anyone contemplating public law or the Government Legal Department, do get in touch.

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