What course did you undertake?
The graduate entry LLB course with the University of London.
What year did you graduate?
I graduated in 2012
Why did you chose the Institute of Law?
The key thing for me was the blend of academic study and professional life. The course allowed me to work in a law firm and study at the same time – so, at the same time that I was studying, I was developing contacts and an understanding of the Jersey legal profession.
What did you enjoy most about your course and what features did you find most beneficial?
The small class sizes and having local practitioners acting as tutors were both attractive features, but the key point was being able to have real experience of legal work. I studied at weekends and worked at a law firm during the week.
What was your best memory of your time here?
From an academic perspective, being awarded an Academic Achievement Award for getting the best mark in the world in the module on EU law(!)
Could you give us a brief description of your current job?
I’m an associate in the Private Capital and Trusts team at Walkers in Jersey. We’re the biggest offshore law firm globally, but we hadn’t historically been big in Jersey and Guernsey. That’s changing and the teams here are growing quickly, so it’s a great time to be working with them. The team advises trustees, settlors and beneficiaries on all aspects of Jersey trusts and foundations, and I also work with the Corporate and Insolvency and Dispute Resolution teams when there’s a trust element to their work.
What route did you take to get to your current job position?
I qualified as an English Solicitor at another firm – I currently work with one of my trainee supervisors in the PCT team at Walkers.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
The most enjoyable element is being part of a team that is growing and developing. Walkers takes a much more inclusive approach to business development, networking and marketing than other firms – I’m encouraged to get out and meet clients and develop relationships, and that’s part of the job that I really enjoy.
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
I’ve been lucky enough to have had some great opportunities. The EU law prize was a highlight, as was being named in ePrivateClient’s CI top 35 under 35 in 2018 and 2019, but the real highlight is being involved in growing the practice from the planning to the networking and the BD trips.
How did studying with us help your professional career?
The big help was having exposure to the professional world as well as the academic one, which gave me a wider breadth of knowledge and made the transition from student to lawyer a much easier one. Effectively I began my career before I’d finished the degree, which wouldn’t have been possible elsewhere.
What advice would you give to prospective law students?
Get as much work experience as you can for different firms. Law firms are different and have different cultures and expectations – you need to make sure that you start off at a firm where their culture and expectations match your own.