When I graduated with a law degree from the University of Reading the Partners at THP Solicitors were kindly offering ‘CV help’ to graduates. I went to see them for a few tips and later sent them a covering letter and my CV. I was then invited to join them as a part-time legal assistant whilst I studied for the LPC.

After I finished the LPC I joined THP Solicitors full-time. I already knew I wanted to specialise in family law but the training I received as both a legal assistant and later a trainee solicitor was great as I got to know the whole practice, the other departments and what everyone does. I also think as we are a smaller legal practice, I got to have much more hands-on involvement with cases – I never felt like a cog in a big machine. This was real experience I was getting, combined with support and supervision. Going from legal assistant to trainee was also a very natural transition.

I love the diversity of what I do as no two cases are the same. I also enjoy the personal nature of my work – I am often helping someone at a very stressful time in their life and I can help provide the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. As one of my colleagues says, ‘we’ve never come across a matter we haven’t been able to solve’ and it’s great to help be able to help people in such a fundamental and meaningful way.

We muck in! It’s very collaborative both within the department and across the firm as a whole. I work closely with my colleagues and Partners on cases and often ending up liaising with other departments when we have clients that need support in other legal areas. It’s great feeling part of a bigger family.

I wish I had known about the less traditional routes into the law. Being a legal assistant was one of the best things I have ever done as it meant I was certain before I started my training that I knew a career in the law was what I wanted, and also that THP Solicitors was the place I wanted to be.