Why did you decide to study law at Bristol?

I was drawn to the teaching at Bristol in terms of support as well as opportunities. The Law Clinic caught my eye as an opportunity to work with real clients and was one of the reasons I chose to study law at Bristol. I also loved the city in general and thought it would be a great place to both live and study.

What was your involvement with the Law Clinic prior to volunteering?

My involvement in the Law Clinic has only been through volunteering which I have done since the beginning of my first year.

What has been a highlight for you during your time at the Law Clinic?

Highlights have been the level of responsibility I have been given in a number of cases, such as attending appeals. However my greatest highlight has been the opportunity to work with some really interesting clients. Helping them and receiving gratitude for that help is a real highlight.

Working with fellow students has also been fantastic and I have been able to share cases with some other very committed Law Clinic members and forged some great friendships.

What has been the most challenging aspect of your course and working in the Law Clinic?

I found it most challenging to balance my studies alongside other things I was involved in. University sport, volunteering for the Law Clinic and vacation schemes and training contracts applications have had to be squeezed in between preparing for tutorials and attending lectures. Although a busy timetable has been challenging from a time management perspective, it definitely made my university experience far more diverse and enjoyable. 

Managing the expectations of clients can be challenging. Unlike other aspects of Law School, it is not a fake scenario or simulated exercise with clear facts to apply case law to. Sometimes I have had to advise clients on issues that they have disagreed with me upon and sometimes it has not always been possible to help the client with their matter. Communicating this to a client who is perhaps vulnerable or emotionally distressed can be very difficult.

What has been your proudest moment since starting your course?

My proudest moment was securing the highest mark in my year for my Final Year Research Project. It was the most academically challenging part of my degree since it was based entirely on independent research. I was also proud as my topic was predominantly based on human rights, which is the area of law that inspired me to do a Law degree. Having also secured the highest mark for Constitutional Rights in my first year, it was a joy to leave Bristol with further recognition of my successes in an area of law that I am so passionate about. 

How have these experiences helped you in terms of preparing for the workplace?

Studying for my degree, whilst also balancing a social life, my involvement in societies and the Law Clinic has taught me about taking a diligent approach to my work and has improved my time management skills. My time at the Law Clinic also gave me the opportunity to practice key legal skills such as legal drafting, which I know will be of great use to me in the future and especially during my Training Contract. More unexpectedly, my social skills have improved; I have developed the ability to argue and debate with confidence and work well with others, which I believe are skills which will be vital for my career in commercial law. I think this has been due to the way I have been taught at Bristol. Supportive staff and small tutorial and seminar groups have given me the confidence to work with others and develop my ideas in a group. 

Congratulations on securing your Training Contract with Pinsent Masons! What was the application process like?

Thank you! The process was fairly straightforward. I secured my Training Contract after completing a summer vacation scheme at the firm, which I secured after completing an online application form and an assessment day.

The assessment during the scheme included a commercial simulation exercise, where my skills from the Law Clinic certainly became of use. I also had to do a presentation to a partner on how the firm could introduce greater innovation as well as a final round up interview. Again, the interpersonal skills picked up from the Law Clinic were key in helping me to succeed in these exercises.

Every experience I have had with the firm has always been relaxed and friendly, and so was every part of my assessment process for both the vacation scheme and Training Contract.

What are your plans for the future, do you have any long-term goals?

Whilst I wish to stay in commercial law, I certainly want to be able to devote time to other areas of law I am also passionate about. I want to be able to commit time to pro bono work and be involved in some human rights work, including assisting those on death row through charities such as Amicus. I am also in the process of potentially getting my Final Year Research Project published and working towards that is my main aspiration at the moment. 

What words of advice would you give a student starting out in the Law Clinic and their course generally?

For students joining the Law Clinic, I would advise them to remember that first and foremost you are there for the client, not to solely add something impressive to your CV. The Law Clinic is certainly a great way to stand out from the competition when looking for legal work experience opportunities or a Training Contract, yet its purpose is to help provide legal support for those in need.

I would also advise to relax, enjoy and always ask for help when you are unsure. You are not expected to enter with any great knowledge of practicing law and the team behind the Law Clinic are there to provide endless support and assistance.

For students about to join their Law course, I would advise and encourage them to be careful not to confine themselves merely to studying their degree. The joy of studying Law at Bristol is more than the great teaching: it is about the numerous extracurricular opportunities available through the Law School and the friendships one forms with fellow students. These are the things that truly ensure one leaves Bristol feeling educated, fulfilled and inspired for the next step.