Paramedic to trainee solicitor: “I had to convince myself that I had a shot at being a lawyer”—The Law Society

When you attend a patient in crisis, their health condition could be complicated, but they want to know in simple terms what the problem is and what their choices are. In some ways, the law can be similar. There may be a complicated legal basis for a dispute or issue but the client probably wants simple, understandable advice and to know their options on the way to move forward. Some of the best solicitors supervising me can distil legal complexity into very clear choices for the client to consider.

I made targeted applications to law firms that I thought would appreciate the diversity and skills a career-changer would bring. I came across Russell-Cooke‘s recruitment website. I could see diverse backgrounds in their trainee profiles, and that people had career-changed or joined at a slightly older age. It all seemed to match my bio. I’m working there today, so the rest is history.