Swindon Students given advice on a law careers

Bower Bailey discussed the different routes to a Career in Law with Year 11 Students at Dorcan Academy.

The legal experts showcased three different routes to qualification as a solicitor and the various job roles available within a law firm.

Teacher Julia Abbott said: ”It’s fantastic for the students to have the opportunity to hear about different legal career paths.

"A lot of students might be put off a career in law as they think they have to qualify in the traditional way by going to university and studying for a Law degree.

"We’ve heard today that’s simply not the case. It’s certainly has given our students some food for thought.

“Today has provided an insight for our students. The chance to chat face to face with real legal experts from a Swindon law firm is a real bonus.”

Lauren Webb, a Senior Associate solicitor at Bower Bailey, said: “I specialise in Family Law. I qualified as a solicitor in 2019.

"Whilst I qualified the traditional route as a solicitor, I think that the routes to qualification and the profession are changing and we have to be open to that. It’s been a wonderful afternoon with the students at Dorcan."

Also taking part was Natasha Welsh, who said: “I am a CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) paralegal working in the Residential Property team at Bower Bailey. I began working at Bower Bailey as an Apprentice.

"I am undertaking the Cilex route to qualification whilst working full time. This way of entering the profession might be something that the students weren’t aware of until today.”

Codie Church said ”I took GCSE’s and A Levels and studied for a degree in History at the University of Reading.

"Now I am undertaking the SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Exam) route to qualification and hope to qualify as a Solicitor in 2025/2026.”

Julia added, “The students were very receptive to the different routes to qualification. We look forward to working with Bower Bailey on other career initiatives in the future.”