Top tips for anyone considering a career as a solicitor
Are you interested in a legal career? At Hampson Hughes, we are always keen to progress talent, having taken on many trainee solicitors in the last ten years.
But, getting a training contract can be tough, so we sat down with Hollie, Nick, Gary and Lisa to get some insight into their journeys, as well as a few of their tips for any inspiring solicitors.
NICK, PERSONAL INJURY SOLICITOR – ADMITTED TO THE ROLL JULY 2020
Initially, I studied Criminology and Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University before deciding to pursue a career as a solicitor. I went to BPP in Manchester to study the graduate diploma in Law before undertaking the LPC at BPP Liverpool.
I was delighted when I was awarded a training contract at Hampson Hughes. Getting a training contract is extremely competitive, especially at a top law firm. It wasn’t an easy process and I had to work hard to get my placement. There have been a number of trainee solicitors at Hampson Hughes before me who were all of a high standard, so I’m pleased to have joined the ranks and achieved my goal.
My advice to anyone considering a career in law is to expect ups and downs but to never give up your end goal. If you have faith in yourself and your abilities, you’re sure to get there!
HOLLIE, TRAINEE SOLICITOR
My journey with Hampson Hughes started in August 2019, once I had finished my LPC LLM at the University of Law in Chester. Despite early aspirations to go into psychology, I found that studying law at A-Level alongside personal experience and research ignited a passion for the legal side of healthcare. I gained as much experience in the industry as I could during my undergraduate LLB degree, and looked into many different areas of law but remained passionate about healthcare and particularly clinical negligence law.
Since joining Hampson Hughes I have gained invaluable exposure to clinical negligence law through assisting with all day to day aspects of client files, from initial client enquiries all the way through to trial. In July 2020 I became a trainee solicitor for the firm, and will be using this opportunity to become the best I can be in my field.
My advice for anyone considering law would be to never underestimate the knowledge experience of your peers and colleagues, be keen and inquisitive and put the hard work in! Furthermore, make sure you network as much as possible, utilising networking profiles such as LinkedIn to connect with as many professionals as you can.
GARY, SOLICITOR – ADMITTED TO THE ROLL DECEMBER 2019
I joined Hampson Hughes in March 2015, fresh from studying my LPC at the University of Law in Manchester. To be honest, once I had finished all my studies, I wasn’t completely sure what I needed to do next. So, I put my CV out there and luckily got a call within a few days from a recruitment agency who put me in touch with Hampson Hughes.
I accepted a role as a first response advisor. It was a great experience as I had never worked in an office environment before, so I was excited by everything going on and meeting the team. Within four months, I was promoted to a paralegal working for one of the heads of the RTA department at the time. After about 18 months in the role, I was offered a training contract to start in January 2018 which of course I duly accepted.
I started my training contract in 2018 and worked under one of the assistant heads of department. This exposed me to work of a higher difficulty and gave me the opportunity to learn from the senior team, following which I was given the chance to run my own caseload. Hampson Hughes helped me through my PSC and supported me fully through this.
I would definitely advise getting work experience in a number of different law firms before applying for a training contract as the job is much different to how it is often portrayed. The benefits of getting multiple work experiences is invaluable as it gives you an insight into different firms and allows you to find the one that suits you.
LISA, SOLICITOR – ADMITTED TO THE ROLL JULY 2020
I completed my LLB Honours Law degree at the University of Liverpool in 2011 before studying my LPC at the University of Law in Manchester. I completed the LPC on a part-time basis, whilst commencing my role at Hampson Hughes in July 2015 as a full-time paralegal.
When I had completed the LPC, I decided to undertake my LLM Masters degree in Professional Legal Practice, which helped prepare me for my role as a trainee solicitor. I began my training contract in July 2018 at Hampson Hughes. I managed to gain in-depth experience across a number of different departments, including clinical negligence, personal injury, costs law, housing disrepair, commercial law, holiday sickness and sexual abuse claims. Following my two year training contract and completion of my Professional Skills Course (PSC), I qualified in July 2020 as a solicitor in the Clinical Negligence department where I hope to continue progressing my career.
My main tip for aspiring solicitors is to gain as much exposure as possible to a variety of different areas of law during your training contract. This will provide you with a better understanding of which area you want to pursue once you are qualified, whilst also giving you the opportunity to learn new skills and broaden your knowledge of the legal industry.
