Careers

It’s surprising how much passes us everyday. With that said, it is important how much we grasp on to.

My journey with Land Law began in April 2021- the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic and another lockdown. A time where we all faced new challenges and the majority of us probably felt like the world was shutting down. Ironically, this was the time my world opened up; Land Law had opened a new office in Ilkley and as I (quite literally) saw the signs go up, I thought I’d take the chance and send a prospective email.

After missed opportunities including a court marshalling position that was prevented by covid, I was elated when I was invited to interview. I’d asked for an opportunity to undertake work experience, yet, Land Law offered not only that, but eventually a progression to employment as an office assistant.

Whilst studying my LLB undergraduate degree, Land Law supported me with flexible hours, allowing me to work one day a week alongside my studies. Over time and with developed understanding, I was able to progress to the role of a fee-earning paralegal. The difference between conventional classroom learning and real life experience was eye opening. Being able to do both was invaluable and made a real difference to the start of my career and engagement as a whole.

Once I finished my third year of the LLB, I began working full-time at Land Law with the chance to work across both the transactional and litigation teams. Four weeks into a full time position, I was elated when I received the news that Land Law wished to offer me a training contract in 2023.

As I look back on my (very early but significant) journey, I am thankful for finding and becoming part of such an encouraging and inclusive firm. The legal sector is notoriously difficult to enter and progress in, but Land Law breaks this mould - you work as a team, are provided with opportunities, and the only person left to limit your potential is yourself.

Take a chance and don’t let opportunity pass you by.

A leap into the unknown… and one of the best decisions I ever made.

It is a difficult thing to decide to change career, and not only that but to change career into something completely different from what you have already been doing.

In 2015 I handed in my notice at the university that had been my home for over six years, where I had been lecturing and teaching in my speciality of medieval literature. Disillusioned with the ever-shrinking pool of tenured jobs in UK academia, and disturbed by the lack of permanence and clear progression in my own job, I had decided my position was unsustainable.

Going “back” to university, once again as a student (indeed, a “mature” one), to retrain as a lawyer was a daunting prospect, but I soon found myself falling in love with the law. Having relocated to Cheshire to be closer to family, I knew I was committed to the area, even as many of my course mates eyed training contracts in London.

In the final stages of my LPC, I found Land Law through a job listing at the University of Law. It was one of a number of firms that I applied to in the North-West and that asked me to come in to be interviewed. I did worry that it might be a bit too “niche”, but I thought I would take a chance and attend the interview.

Within moments of walking into that interview, Land Law established itself as the stand-out firm in my pool of potential employers. The interview was immensely welcoming and friendly, and the enthusiasm of the Partners conducting it was infectious – it was clear that they truly loved what they were doing, and that they were so proud of what they had built here. On the back of that interview, I was kindly offered the opportunity to do several days’ work experience – everyone was so welcoming, and so keen to share an insight into their work with me, that it cemented Land Law’s place as my number one choice.

In the end, I had four offers of employment on the table – and it was without hesitation that I accepted the position of paralegal at Land Law. It would be fair to say that Land Law also took a chance on me – a mature student who had never worked in an office before. I am so glad that they did.

The firm is a welcoming, collegiate place – small enough that you get to know everybody, but not so small as to feel stifling. You are not just a “cog in the machine” here, but a valued member of the team, and the path to advancement is always clear and in front of you. The senior lawyers are approachable, friendly and keen to support you; the junior lawyers are enthusiastic and bring a sense of camaraderie to everything. Everybody clearly loves the work that they do. Throughout my career here, I have felt supported and encouraged to be the best possible lawyer that I can be, and the firm has done an excellent job of making sure that I have all the resources available to assist with this. The firm also, unlike many out there, sees its lawyers as human beings, and strives to make sure that we have a good work/life balance.

So, here I am, years later, qualified as a solicitor, and still loving the job as much as I did when I walked through the front door for the first time as a paralegal in 2017.

If you want to work at firm that provides a genuinely happy environment, excellent colleagues and fascinating work, then do what I did… apply for a job at Land Law. You won’t regret it!

My Land Law “journey” started soon after finishing my undergraduate degree in history and French. I had always had a vague idea that I would at some stage in my career convert to law, but I had intended to start my career in another sector before pursuing my end goal, feeling it would be better to come into law having a sound grounding in commercial and business world to understand the dynamics behind deals. I soon realised that the work that was available to a graduate with my degree simply did not appeal to me and would not provide me with the challenge I so desired.

I decided to start the GDL in September 2019, not realising how different my studies would turn out to be from what was anticipated with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 and the subsequent cycle of lockdowns that followed. It was a challenge trying to stay engaged with teaching all taking place online and no possibility of having meetings with fellow students and our lecturers; an issue which continued going into the LPC in September 2020; I never had a chance to meet any of my fellow students face to face. I have no doubt that the experience of studying during the uncertainties and unpredictability of the pandemic, as I’m sure is the case with many others who studied during this period, helped enhance my resilience in the face of adversity and my determination to succeed.

I chose as my electives for the LPC advanced commercial property, advanced civil litigation and commercial law and intellectual property. Ironically, whilst studying for the GDL, I found land law immensely dry, tedious and deeply difficult to envisage being applied. My views changed when I started the core property module for the LPC. I began to understand how what had previously seemed incomprehensible could apply within the context of a property transaction. Having always had a fascination with the built environment, in particular urban regeneration, the fusion of the modern and the historic and an interest in major projects and infrstructure, I was delighted to discover an area of law in which specialisation would further down the line potentially allow me to be involved in such development work. As such, it was a no brainer for me to choose advanced commercial property as one of my electives. Towards the end of summer 2021, whilst finishing up my extended essay for the LPC, I saw a job advert on the BPP Careers page for paralegals, preferably those who had taken advanced commercial property and advanced civil litigation for a firm called Land Law based in Altrincham; a place I had always heard of mentioned as an affluent, pleasant “market town” (if it can still be called as such) and knew was only 20 minutes away on the Metrolink from – what I believe to be - Europe’s fastest growing city in Manchester. I promptly applied and was interviewed soon after, receiving an offer a couple of days after interview. I started in November 2021 – having never previously worked in a professional environment, and from the outset I was sat right next to the managing partner!

Just over six months after starting, I was offered a training contract which I quickly accepted. Coming from having had no previous professional experience, the initial months were certainly daunting at times. However, I have been extremely well supported throughout my time here and most importantly, my colleagues have consistently shown great belief in me to improve, which has helped get me to the position I am in now as trainee solicitor. A fantastic aspect of working for Land Law, in addition to being able to work closely alongside lawyers with an enormous wealth of experience in all aspects of commercial property, is the client base that the firm has. This client base and reach means that one can end up working on some very interesting projects that potentially also lead to significant workstreams further down the line. I would suggest to anybody looking to join Land Law who is in the position I was is to grab the opportunities you are afforded with both hands and make the most of the people you work alongside; they are always extremely supportive and ready to offer help when you need it. Do not be afraid to ask questions, do not feel daunted – and make sure you are organised. If you put the effort in, you will reap the rewards!