Although now I am a solicitor, in my teens at high school I always viewed myself as thinking like a geographer; captivated by how societies navigate the complex environmental challenges of our time.
This interest drove me to complete an undergraduate degree in Geography (2013-2016) where I gained a greater appreciation of how issues such as waste and road transport are always going to be vital to a growing global population. Little did I know at that time I would go on to practice in waste law and transport law!
Once I had graduated in 2016, I planned on applying to enrol on a post-graduate conversion course to Law (what they term the “GDL”) as the first step for me in becoming a solicitor, but my mother warned me of the long hours and stress of being a solicitor. Perhaps the same warnings most prospective law students hear from their parents.
I was also mindful that after 3 years of studying on a tight budget I wanted a change. Specifically, I wanted simply to live as a typical working adult with a wage and bills to pay. it was time to gain some life experience before I made any further life impacting decision at this “sliding doors” moment of my life.
So, I decided to work in retail – firstly, as a Graduate Buyer at a ‘grey’ wholesaler, then later in the Buying Department of a large UK supermarket.
What did I learn after 2 years?
The sales of products such as yoghurts and cheese simply did not fulfil me, and the stress and long hours of working as a buyer in the retail industry was not too dissimilar to what I expected life as a solicitor would be – so what was holding me back?
With my hunger to become a solicitor renewed and more life experience under my belt, in 2018 I applied and later began the GDL at the University of Law.
I had met with the careers department later that year where I explained my interest in environmental law, and I was advised to contact one of my lecturers (Anne Dyne) as it just so happened that her husband, John Dyne, ran a law firm locally (in Tattenhall) that specialised in environmental law – I could not quite believe my luck!
After further conversations with my lecturer, Anne, and John Dyne, it was agreed I would work as a legal assistant for DSL on a Friday to support John. This gave me an excellent opportunity to ‘get a feel’ for the types of cases that DSL’s Environmental Law department handled.
It was not too long before I increased my work commitments to working 2 days a week as I entered my final year of law studies. This part-time position helped me grow a greater appreciation of the evolving landscape of environmental regulation and the cases DSL handles that reflect the dynamic and rapidly changing nature of environmental legislation. This made it the ideal place for me to embark on my legal career, and luckily, John was impressed with the work I had completed for DSL in my part-time position, so much so that I was offered a permanent position after my studies (circa 2020) as a Legal Assistant, then sooner after, a Trainee Solicitor.
Initially, my primary goal as a Trainee Solicitor was to focus my attention in the Environmental Law department; however, as I gained exposure to other practice areas within the firm, I developed a greater understanding for the complexities of transport law and commercial litigation.
After 3 years of extensive training at Dynes, I qualified as a solicitor in March 2023, equipped with skills and knowledge I had gained from working alongside senior solicitors that are highly regarded experts in their respective fields.
Many of the legal challenges we tackle at DSL involve overlapping issues, where my combined expertise in environmental law, transport law, regulatory law and dispute resolution has proven invaluable. This cross-disciplinary approach has strengthened my ability to provide strategic legal solutions tailored to our clients’ needs.
Putting professional development to one side, I would say to future solicitors and prospective law students that securing a role within a team where you handle rewarding and fulfilling cases is worthless if you do not have a good relationship with your colleagues, you cannot be honest, express yourself or even have a fun and a joke at times!
Whilst the stereotype is that solicitors are serious and dare I say ‘boring’, at DSL I am actively encouraged to bring my personality to work and can honestly say the humour within the team is just as high a quality as the service we deliver to our clients.
As I continue my legal career, I carry forward the invaluable knowledge and skills I have gained at DSL. The experiences here have reinforced my passion for regulatory practice, and my belief in the importance of a good “vibe” in any team environment to secure success for everyone involved.