Isabella R

My Law Firm

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I studied a non-law degree, English, at the University of St Andrews and decided I wanted to pursue a career in law during my fourth year, after volunteering at Citizens Advice while at university. 

I found it difficult to fully understand and appreciate the application process for obtaining a training contract, so it took me a few rounds to achieve, during which time I undertook a legal internship in-house and then worked as a paralegal. This felt particularly pronounced given I did not have any friends or family in law, and it could feel like an isolating process. 

To me, diversity in the legal profession is important as different perspectives and experiences create a more inclusive and dynamic workplace. It is beneficial to the profession more broadly as it allows a legal community built on a range of outlooks to contribute to and uphold the profession. Diversity will also ensure that this legal community is reflective of society, which is important when recognising the kinds of socio-economic, political, and legal issues that clients may face. 

I didn’t know about mentorship programmes when applying for training contracts or vacation schemes and I think it would have been insightful to have that layer of support, I would like to be able to provide this to someone.

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