My diversity networks

Non-Law Degree
Diversity Allies

Profile:

I am a Legal Director at The Burnside Partnership, which is a specialist Private Client firm. I have been at the Burnside Partnership since November 2023, and before that, I worked for 12 years at multi service firm BDB Pitmans (now Broadfield). As a Private Client solicitor, I draft Wills and trust documents, administer estates after someone has died, prepare powers of attorney, and advise on estate planning.

I studied English at Bristol University and spent a long time agonising over careers. Some work experience at a local law firm in my final year showed me how interesting and challenging law could be.  I studied the Law Conversion Course and Legal Practice Course, while trying to obtain as much formal and informal work experience in the holidays as possible.

I attended two vacation schemes and found these the best way to impress potential employers, as I am shy in interviews. Demonstrating your ability and enthusiasm in a working environment can help to show whether you are the sort of candidate a firm wants to take on.

I obtained a training contract at BDB Pitmans for two years ahead, and this was deferred for an additional year due to the recession. After applying for over 200 paralegal positions to fill the gap, I worked for the NHS in an Estates Legal & Property team for eighteen months. This was not a conventional paralegal position, but provided valuable experience in property law from the client’s perspective. It showed me how important it is to think outside the box in trying to obtain relevant work experience.

During my training contract at BDB Pitmans, my seats were in Charities, Real Estate, Private Wealth and Litigation. I qualified into Private Wealth in September 2013.

AS Mentors’ experiences show the different backgrounds of lawyers and their varying routes into law and will hopefully encourage aspiring students that they can be lawyers too. I know how difficult, time-consuming and dispiriting applying for training contracts and paralegal positions can be, but hard work and persistence will pay off. It is important to show your individuality, as recruiters remember people who are interesting and different! Do let me know if you have any questions, as I am keen to encourage other people to pursue a successful career in law and to foster diversity.

Back To Law Firm