Thomas H

Profile:

I went to a state school and then a non-Russell group university.

After university, I was working as a director of a small family company. I learnt more about business in this role than what I imagine I could, at any university. After three years and an ever-growing interest in law, I decided to go back into education.

I attended open days to start my GDL. The GDL was an intimidating course; I had not taken an exam since I was 16, I was now 24. I spoke to career staff at the time, I told them my story, and they gave a response which would be mimicked throughout my legal education. They all said I would find it almost impossible to get a training contract in the suburbs, let alone in a commercial firm in London. This did not deter me; I knew I had life and business experience which many people did not.

I completed my GDL and LPC and applied for several training contracts with no luck. I obtained as much work experience as I could; most of which was by talking to people I already know. If I wanted to succeed, I could not go down the same route as everyone else, besides I was competing with other people on a different life path.

I found myself at a mid-tier firm in London on a two-week training position that I had obtained by asking my family friends if they had used any lawyers. I did not leave the building until I thought I had shown them what I am capable of.

A month later they offered me a training contract to start a month from then.

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