Olivia A

Profile:

I am a fourth seat trainee at Kennedys Law LLP and due to qualify as an Associate in September 2022. I was educated at a state comprehensive in Birmingham before getting into a grammar school following my GCSE results, where I studied for my A-levels. It was during my studies for my A-levels that I realised I had an interest in law and decided I wanted to pursue a career in that profession – something which seemed unattainable at the time considering I was the first person in my family to go to university, I did not know anyone in law, and I was (and still am!) armed with a strong Birmingham accent.

I applied anyway and subsequently attended the University of Liverpool to study law. I thoroughly enjoyed my degree and applied to numerous vacation schemes and training contracts whilst at university – I had no luck in securing either and worried that it might not happen, but continued to apply.

Coming from a single-parent, low-income family, I worked part-time throughout my degree in a bar and waitressed over the holidays. It was whilst I was waitressing in summer 2017 that I secured a job at Kennedys as a Litigation Assistant. I started in that role in September 2017 in the Health and Safety team and managed to secure a training contract in March 2019 to start in September 2020.

Knowing how difficult my journey into this career has been at times, I’m passionate about supporting others in a similar situation and increasing diversity in the legal profession. Please message me if you would like any help or advice!

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