Hear from former students
Gemma Cliff
Trainee Solicitor, Hammonds
Full-time GDL/LPC
Graduated: 2006
I decided to become a lawyer during my last year at university when I took some law modules. As soon as I attended an information day at The College of Law I immediately felt at home and the lecturers I met were lovely. The staff and atmosphere were great throughout my time at the College.
From the start I knew I’d work for a commercial firm and the GDL gave me a fantastic knowledge base, which was built on through my LPC.I got the chance to work in criminal law, at a Magistrates’ Court and in a commercial firm during my studies.
I applied to ten large firms on graduation, got six interviews and ended up with the job I wanted.
I think that being a student at The College of Law gave me a competitive advantage, given its excellent reputation in the legal sector.
Rosie Cox-Maidment
Trainee Solicitor, Goodman Derrick LLP
Full-time LPC
Graduated: 2005
I first decided to become a lawyer when I was studying for my A-Levels and then took law and French law at university. I knew before I started the LPC that I wanted to work at a medium-sized commercial practice and possibly specialise in property law, but wanted to keep my options open until I had started my training contract.
The College offered a very practical approach to learning. The LPC could be tailored to each person’s needs, depending on the size and type of firm that you wanted to join and this was important to me.
I made a lot of good friends at the College. Some of them work in firms nearby so we still meet for lunch. We’re also in touch with one of our tutors, who is always keen to know how we’re all getting on.
Liz Ellen
Trainee Solicitor, Mishcon de Reya
Full-time LPC
Graduated: 2005
It wasn’t until I had started my degree at SOAS (University of London) that I decided I wanted to become a lawyer. I studied a straight law degree, with the international and comparative aspects that you’d expect of SOAS. The College of Law had links to SOAS, plus a perfect central location, so I moved straight onto the LPC at The College of Law. Those factors, along with the College’s good reputation, meant that I didn’t need to look any further.
I loved my year at the College. The practical nature of the course suited me well, as did the atmosphere of the place, which was relaxed but professional. I think what has been most beneficial is the way in which The College of Law’s LPC assists in the transition from law student to trainee solicitor. It trains you to think more commercially and practically than on the academic undergraduate degree.
Following a lot of research into law firms, I spent the summer sending out numerous application forms. Fortunately, this paid off and I was offered a training contract at Mishcon de Reya. I knew straight away that this was where I wanted to complete my training and it has more than lived up to my expectations. I feel confident that I’ve chosen the right career.
Alasdair Mackenzie
Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers
Full-time BVC
Graduated: 2004
I had worked in the voluntary sector with asylum seekers since I graduated from Oxford in 1989. I enjoyed the legal and advocacy side of the work, and was impressed with the achievements of barristers I knew, and thought I could try and follow in their footsteps.
The information day and the range of optional subjects at The College of Law impressed me and I also wanted to be part of a small, close-knit student body. I thought that the focused tutor groups, with very few large lectures, worked extremely well.
I found the advocacy training most useful to my career, also the procedural aspects of how cases progress and how courts work. Once you understand the law in theory it’s vital to understand how it’s put into practice on a day-to-day basis, and the BVC acted as a bridge from theory to reality.
Currently I’m a tenant at one of the most respected chambers in the country, undertaking a wide range of immigration and asylum work, which is both interesting and important, with excellent colleagues. Professional life doesn’t get much better.
Chris Collins
Trainee Solicitor, Kendall Freeman
Full-time LPC
Graduated: 2005
I studied law at Exeter University and so it was a logical step to see what the legal profession was like in practice. I decided during my degree that I wanted to work for a City firm and I wanted to live in London prior to starting a training contract. I knew by reputation that The College of Law would provide me with the skills needed prior to a training contract.
The LPC at the College had a good mix of lectures and workshops and the sandwich shop opposite the College in Moorgate did the best chocolate cake in London!
I did a vacation scheme at a City firm and work experience at both a local commercial firm and at a sole practitioner personal injury specialist before starting my job, which was reasonably easy to find, once I had decided on the type of firm I wanted to work at. It’s probably too early to say where I want to get to ultimately.
The practical elements of my course such as letter drafting and interviewing clients were particularly useful. And covering a wide topic base on the LPC has been very beneficial because even at City firms, trainee work is very mixed.
Ingrid Uche
Trainee Solicitor, Clyde & Co
Full-time LPC
Graduated: Summer 2006
I decided to become a solicitor at the end of 2000 and started studying law part-time in February 2001 at London Metropolitan University. The College of Law has an excellent reputation as an LPC provider and I decided to study with the College in Bloomsbury after attending an Open Day there. At the Open Day the staff were friendly and professional and I felt that I was in good hands.
I liked the vast knowledge of the lecturers; there was nothing I could ever ask them that they didn’t know. I also felt that the learning methods were varied and helpful.
I’ve always thought myself to be suited to commercial law and I’ve certainly ended up in the right job. I love being at Clyde & Co; the partners and associates are very approachable and knowledgeable. The training contract is intellectually challenging and stimulating and I can honestly say that I learn something new every week.
My professional conduct tutor at the College always reminded us to call back our clients, even if we couldn’t give them any news and to keep our clients updated when new developments arise. This has been an invaluable tip and I’ve already had positive comments from my clients about this.
