Law students secure training contracts after completing paralegal placements

Five fourth year law students have secured highly sought after training contracts at leading law firms after completing work placements organised by the School of Law and Politics.

LLB students Anu Manda, Harry Sawyer, Megan Walton and Kieron Wilcox have been offered training contracts with top 100 UK law firm Hugh James Solicitors while Emilie Archer has been offered a contract with Blake Morgan whose legal teams cover South England and Wales. All students will begin their training contracts after graduating from the School of Law and Politics on condition of their degree results.

The five students were part of the first cohort of students to be given the opportunity to undertake the LLB Law with a Professional Placement Year module, which was launched in September 2016.

The students undertaking the module all spent the third year of their degree programme on placement with Hugh James, working as paralegals. They gained valuable, practical experience of case management, legal research and legal writing in addition to generic employability skills such as time management, communication, team working and commercial awareness.

Currently, all students intending to qualify as solicitors are required to undertake training contracts after completing their academic studies and the LPC. However, students who study Law in Cardiff have the opportunity to obtain essential vocational experience before leaving University, equipping them with skills many of their peers are yet to develop. Cardiff also offers the LPC which means that students can complete both their academic and professional training at the University.

Law lecturer and module leader, Hannah Marchant said, “Obtaining a training contract is notoriously difficult and we are delighted that five of our placement students have secured offers. We consider the placement module to be a fantastic opportunity for students to obtain a significant period of hands-on experience of legal practice and to thereby enhance their employability.”

Kieron Wilcox echoed his lecturer by saying, “The placement year offered me an invaluable insight into law and gave me a true sense of what a career in law would be like."

"Having a career opportunity in place going into my final year of university really takes the pressure off. It has also given me a sense of motivation, it feels as though all the hard work I have put into my studies has been worthwhile."

"This is the first step in what I hope to be a successful career at a renowned law firm in a fantastic city. As the first cohort to take part in this scheme, the support from the School was fantastic and ensured that I was able to truly get the most out of the experience.”

Human Resources Director, Di Brooks of Hugh James Solicitors said, “We are delighted the programme has been such a success for all parties involved. For the students it has been an excellent chance to gain hands on experience whilst having the opportunity to show us they have what it takes to build a long and successful career in the law.”

“For us it has been brilliant to be able to start working with such bright students at the earliest opportunity in their professional development. It has been fantastic to collaborate with Cardiff University on such an innovative venture. We look forward to welcoming Anu, Harry, Megan and Keiron back to the firm once their studies are complete.”