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Pauline Campbell is our final career changer in our mini series – she qualified as a lawyer at the age of 41 after a successful career as a housing benefits officer. She went on to work at Hackney Borough Council and now she’s a senior lawyer for the prosecution team at London Borough of Waltham Forest. She talks about how the Steven Lawrence case spurred her on to finally taking the leap into law and how she made it by building on the skills she’d gained along the way. Pauline has written a book about race, identity and belonging titled ‘Rice and Peas and Fish and Chips’.    Useful links: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/en/topics/in-house/working-in-house-local-government https://llg.org.uk/  (Lawyers in Local Government) https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/ https://www.hmcts-trainee-legal-advisers.co.uk/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Suzanne Hutton offers practical advice to students on a daily basis in her role as careers manager for online students at The University of Law. Suzanne works with lots of mature students and people moving into law so in this episode our very own career changer Joanna Prior, trainee solicitor at BBC Legal, asks those key questions that every career changer needs the answers to. From practical tips about funding to finding your narrative, Suzanne is here to help anyone wanting to transition into law.    Useful links for career changers Fees and Funding: https://www.law.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/course-fees-and-funding/ ULaw career change scholarships: https://www.law.ac.uk/study/scholarships-bursaries/ Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA): https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We’re re-releasing this episode from series 1 to bump it up for all you career changers out there – here’s a really clear explanation of the SQE and how it might be able to help you. Dr Victoria Roper, Associate Professor at Northumbria University and Chair of the National Education and Training Committee of the Law Society, clarifies the finer points of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (or SQE) which was introduced in September 2021 and will eventually replace the current Legal Practice Course (LPC). She answers crucial questions like – How much will it cost? What happens if I fail an exam? And what to do if you’ve already started the LPC? Information about the SQE: https://www.sra.org.uk/students/sqe/ https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/law-schools/solicitors-qualifying-examination-sqe https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/becoming-a-solicitor/solicitors-qualifying-examination-sqe See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rachael Bell worked as a company director in the construction industry. Now she’s a paralegal, qualifying as a solicitor and supporting other career-changers through her social media network and podcast. She talks to us about the realities of becoming a lawyer when you already have children, a job and a maxed-out credit card. Rachael's instagram is @legalbelle Useful links: ULaw career change scholarships: https://www.law.ac.uk/study/scholarships-bursaries/ Flex Legal paralegals: https://flex.legal/ Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA): https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/ Social welfare solicitor qualification fund: https://www.citysolicitors.org.uk/social-welfare-solicitor-qualification-fund/ (deadline 17th January 2022) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the first of our mini-series on career changers we hear from former police detective Mukhtiar Singh, an employment and commercial barrister and social mobility campaigner at Garden Court Chambers about joining the Bar at 40, what it takes to start later in the law and the rewards you can reap if you make it. Information on changing careers in to the law: https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/Features/30032021-Becoming-a-lawyer-as-a-career-changer   Mukhtiar’s Scholarship Scheme: https://singhbarrister.co.uk/social-responsibility See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Isaac Eloi is starting out as a lawyer at ICE, a digital music licensing hub. He tells us how joining a specialist lawyer network helped him get this niche role and why he co-founded the Black Men in Law network to find out what was happening to black men in law firms and provide support. From brotherhood to Baroness Scotland, Isaac explains why you should always swipe right on dreams and opportunities. Groups that Isaac mentioned… Black Men in Law Network: @BMLnetwork Black Women in Law @BlackWomenLaw UK Black Music Lawyers Network The Law Collective @CollectiveLaw Urban Lawyers https://urbanlawyers.co.uk/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rianna Powponne of Rare Recruitment shares essential advice about CVs, applications and interviews - including what to put on your CV and what to leave out plus how to tell your story and deal with tough questions in interview. National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sonia Janday, Senior Legal Counsel at Aviva Investors, discusses the appeal of an in-house, city centre legal job – including the parking space and unexpected issues involving rats – and how you can use networks and other in-house lawyers to find in-house legal roles. LawWorks: https://www.lawworks.org.uk/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Multi award winning Ahmed Aydeed, Public Law Director at Duncan Lewis solicitors, talks passionately about the “huge rewards” of working on cases which change clients’ lives, government policy and the law. And he explains why empathy, passion and the ability to listen are key ingredients of a legal aid human rights lawyer. Young Legal Aid Lawyers: http://www.younglegalaidlawyers.org/ Find us on Instagram @notalllawyerspod See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Siobhan Taylor-Ward, a solicitor at the Vauxhall Law Centre in Liverpool, talks about the challenges and rewards of working in a law centre embedded in the community and unlocking problems for people at the toughest moments in their lives. She explains how her work links to campaigning and the many ways you can get involved in a law centre near you. The Law Centres Network: https://www.lawcentres.org.uk/ Legal aid lawyers network: http://www.younglegalaidlawyers.org/ Justice First Fellowship: https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/ Support for lawyers https://www.claiming.space/ Find us on Instagram @notalllawyerspod See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In our second episode about apprenticeships, we speak to Ceri Evans, National Programme Director for Apprenticeships at the University of Law and get the facts about legal apprenticeships, including which organisations offer them, how much you get paid and the importance of finding the right place for you.   Information about apprenticeships:   https://allaboutapprenticeships.co.uk/ https://www.ucas.com/understanding-apprenticeships Find us on Instagram @notalllawyerspod See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the first of two invaluable episodes about apprenticeships, our very own legal apprentice and former apprentice, Georgie and Ella, speak to law firm apprentice Maia Crockford and in-house apprentice Teagan Williams. Maia (DAC Beachcroft LLP) and Teagan (Severn Trent Water) explain why they turned down university places to take up legal apprenticeships. And they share their experience of the challenges and rewards of starting work at 18, balancing work with studying and how their apprenticeships have grown their skills and confidence – as well as their bank balances! Find us on Instagram @notalllawyerspod See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.