The Student Lawyer Podcast

Law Careers: Breaking Down Barriers and Securing Scholarships

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In this episode of The Student Lawyer podcast, Camilla Uppal speaks with Open University students Laurie-Elizabeth Ketley (29), Liam Chin (33) and Eleanor Mayhew-Hills (26) who are recipients of several prestigious scholarships from Gray’s Inn (full and partial funding) to complete their Bar Professional Training Course.
Not only did Laurie-Elizabeth, Liam and Eleanor secure sought-after scholarships demonstrating their excellence, talent, and drive, they impressively completed their law degrees full time alongside raising families and working long hours.
They explain why they decided to pursue a career in law, how they found out about the scholarships on offer by Gray’s Inn, how to shine during the scholarship application process as non-“traditional” applicants, the biggest challenges they have faced and how they manage their time and remain motivated.
Our guests discuss topics from social mobility and imposter syndrome to being mistaken for the defendant during a mini-pupillage. They also provide advice to listeners who may be thinking of pursuing a career in law alongside family/work life.
If you would like to follow today’s guests on social media, you can find them on Twitter and LinkedIn:
Twitter: Ketleylaurie
LinkedIn: Laurie-Elizabeth Ketley
Twitter: Lawfulstudent
LinkedIn: Eleanor Mayhew-Hills
Liam does not have social media however if you have any questions or comments for him please email hello@thestudentlawyer.com.
Prefer YouTube videos to podcasts? Check out the video for this podcast on our YouTube channel where you can watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheStudentLawyer 
Don’t forget to share this episode with anyone who may find the episode helpful. It would also mean the world to us if you could subscribe to the podcast on the platform you are using to listen to us. 
 
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

Interview with Joanne Kane, Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee

(Advert) Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer.
In this episode of The Student Lawyer podcast, Camilla Uppal speaks with Joanne Kane, an experienced junior barrister specialising in serious crime and fraud, and the current Chair of the Young Barrister’s Committee of the Bar Council of England and Wales.
Joanne discusses the key aims of the Young Barristers' Committee and how junior barristers can get involved. Joanne also provides advice to those seeking a career at the bar, including how to make the most of the next few months if you are currently in the process of making pupillage applications. 
Joanne also provides insight into her career so far, including why she decided to pursue a career at the bar, and being awarded a Pegasus Scholarship in association with the American Inns of Court. 
You can learn more about the Young Barrister’s Committee here: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/support-for-barristers/young-bar.html and here https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/about/bar-council-governance/committees/young-barristers-committee.html 
If you have any questions or feedback in relation to this episode, please email hello@thestudentlawyer.com.
Prefer YouTube videos to podcasts? Check out the video for this podcast on our YouTube channel where you can watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheStudentLawyer 
Don’t forget to share this episode with anyone who may find the episode helpful. It would also mean the world to us if you could subscribe to the podcast on the platform you are using to listen to us. 
 
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

In-house v Private Practice Law Careers, with Oliver Grazebrook

(Advert) Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer.
In this episode of The Student Lawyer podcast, Camilla Uppal is joined by Oliver Grazebrook, in-house counsel at Inmarsat, director of The Student Lawyer, and founder of The Student Lawyer’s Mentorship Scheme.
Oliver provides insight into his career history, from completing his training contract at a US law firm where he worked for a number of years, to working in house in a world leading global telecommunications company. 
Oliver explains the key differences between working as an in house and private practice lawyer and provides his opinion on the personality types that might be suited to in-house and private practice due to these differences.
Oliver also discusses The Student Lawyer Mentorship Scheme and the next cycle of mentor-mentee pairings, which will be taking place later this year.
To check eligibility and apply for the scheme, click here: https://thestudentlawyer.com/the-student-lawyer-mentorship-scheme/ 
If you have any questions or feedback in relation to this episode, please email hello@thestudentlawyer.com.
Prefer YouTube videos to podcasts? Check out the video for this podcast on our YouTube channel where you can watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheStudentLawyer 
Don’t forget to share this episode with anyone who may find the episode helpful. It would also mean the world to us if you could subscribe to the podcast on the platform you are using to listen to us. 
 
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

Making successful vacation scheme applications, with Iqra Ali

Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer.
In this episode of The Student Lawyer podcast, Camilla Uppal is joined by Iqra Ali, an aspiring commercial solicitor who successfully secured two vacation schemes this cycle at top international law firms, Osborne Clarke and CMS.
Iqra shares the story of how she managed to find success in what has been hailed as one of the most competitive vacation scheme and training contract recruitment cycles of recent times. Specifically, Iqra shares her top tips for writing winning vacation scheme applications, preparing for interviews, developing commercial awareness and how to bounce back from rejection.
Iqra has also set up a platform called Legal Diversity, which aims to improve diversity in the legal profession.
You can connect with Iqra via LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iqraa/
You can find out more about Legal Diversity here: http://legaldiversity.org/
If you have any questions or feedback in relation to this episode, please email hello@thestudentlawyer.com.
Prefer YouTube videos to podcasts? Check out the video for this podcast on our YouTube channel where you can watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheStudentLawyer 
Don’t forget to share this episode with anyone who may find the episode helpful. It would also mean the world to us if you could subscribe to the podcast on the platform you are using to listen to us. 
 
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

Interview with David Boyle, Barrister and Author of The Mini-Pupillage Workbook

Interested in learning more about the University of Law, who are the sponsors of this podcast episode? Click here to view the courses on offer.
In this episode of The Student Lawyer podcast, Stephanie Anais is joined by David Boyle, Barrister at Deans Court Chambers. David has a wide-ranging practice which covers a broad spectrum of complex, high value, and unusual Multi Track claims. He is also the author of several well-known books, including the extremely helpful The Mini-Pupillage Workbook, and ‘An introduction to Personal Injury Law.’  
During the episode, David shares his opinion on what makes a strong CV and covering letter, how to prepare for a first and second-stage pupillage interview, how aspiring barristers can become creative problem-solvers, and how to improve written and oral advocacy skills. David also sheds light on what he believes to be the biggest misconception of the Bar and what type of personality really suits a career as a barrister.  
The books Davis has written (including the previously mentioned ones) are, On Experts (2016), An Introduction to Personal Injury Law (2017), and The Mini-Pupillage Workbook (2019) and are available via www.lawbriefpublishing.com or Amazon https://tinyurl.com/dsbbooks. He is currently working on his fourth (Covid-19 and Personal Injury Law), fifth (Case Management) and sixth (Forensic Thinking) books simultaneously.
 
If you have any questions or feedback in relation to this episode, please email hello@thestudentlawyer.com.
Prefer YouTube videos to podcasts? Check out the video for this podcast on our YouTube channel where you can watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheStudentLawyer 
Don’t forget to share this episode with anyone who may find the episode helpful. It would also mean the world to us if you could subscribe to the podcast on the platform you are using to listen to us. 
 
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

Demystifying In-house Training Contracts, with Yvonne Akpofure

The Student Lawyer understand that in-house training contracts are not as widely advertised as law firm training contracts, although we may now see a change with the introduction of the SQE. With this episode, we aim to help provide listeners with insight into the in-house training contract route if this path interests you!
In this episode, Camilla Uppal is joined by Yvonne Akpofure, a trainee solicitor working in the legal department of a rapidly growing Fintech bank.  Yvonne discusses why she decided to train in-house, provides her opinion on the benefits of training in-house, and explains where to look for in-house training contracts along with her experience of the recruitment process.
You can follow Yvonne’s journey through her blog: https://www.confessionsofacontemporarylawyer.com/ or connecting with Yvonne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonne-akpofure-7a4713109/ 
If you have any questions or feedback in relation to this episode, please email hello@thestudentlawyer.com.
Prefer YouTube videos to podcasts? Check out the video for this podcast on our YouTube channel where you can watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheStudentLawyer 
Don’t forget to share this episode with anyone who may find the episode helpful. It would also mean the world to us if you could subscribe to the podcast on the platform you are using to listen to us. 
 
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

Improving your confidence - with Simranjeet Kaur Mann

In this episode, Camilla Uppal is joined by Simranjeet Kaur Mann, trainee solicitor at Womble Bond Dickinson, YouTuber and legal Vlogger for LawCareers.net.
 
Simranjeet provides us with a detailed insight into her journey to becoming a trainee solicitor, the obstacles that she has overcome and the steps she has taken to build her her personal and professional confidence. Simran provides actionable advice for how listeners can also develop their confidence! This is a must listen for all aspiring and junior lawyers, or anyone who wants to be more confident in any area of their life!
 
If you want to follow Simranjeet on social media, you can find her on:
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SimranjeetKaurMann 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simranjeet-kaur-mann/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simranjeetkmann/ 
 
Thank you for listening and don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with anyone who may find it helpful!
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

Proposed reforms to qualifying as a barrister, with Derek Sweeting QC - Chair of the Bar Council

In this episode, Camilla Uppal is joined by Derek Sweeting QC, Chair of the Bar Council (2021). The discussion is focused around the proposed reforms that Derek Sweeting QC is advocating for, including why Derek believes the reforms are required and the benefits that reform would provide to the profession.
 
Derek also provides an insight into his career journey and explains what the Bar Council is currently doing to help improve equality, diversity and inclusion at the bar.
 
Thank you for listening and don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with anyone who may find it helpful!
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

Interview with Jake Schogger, ex-Magic Circle lawyer and best-selling author

If you are currently applying for training contracts, vacation schemes, pupillage or internships, this episode is for you!
 
In this episode, Camilla Uppal is joined by Jake Schogger, ex-Magic Circle lawyer, best-selling author and entrepreneur about his career history and some of the educational resources he has created for aspiring lawyers, such as the Commercial Law Academy and the City Career Series books.
 
Jake shares his top tips for how to approach different types of interview and application questions when applying to law firms, how to develop commercial awareness, and how to improve networking and personal branding skills.
If you are interested in checking out any of the resources discussed in this episode, you can find the details below:
Commercial Law Academy: https://www.commerciallaw.academy/bundles/membership
Networking group for aspiring lawyers: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8944518/
Recommended resources: http://www.citycareerseries.com/recommended-resources.php
LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/commerciallawacademy
Commercial awareness newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hjyzrf
 
Thank you for listening and don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with anyone who may find it helpful!
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore

CV and Application Advice, with Simply Law Jobs

In this episode, Camilla Uppal speaks with Roxanne Brown from Simply Law Jobs. Roxanne provides the recruiters perspective on how to improve your CV, how to prepare for a law firm interview and what skills recruiters are looking for!
 
Check out Simply Law Jobs here: https://www.simplylawjobs.com/ and also on The Student Lawyer Job Board: https://thestudentlawyer.com/tsl-job-board/ 
 
Thank you for listening and don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with anyone who may find it helpful!
Hosted by Camilla Uppal, Produced by Nathan Gore