Why Paralegal?

In June 2024, I started my journey as a paralegal at Gordons. Fresh out of university, I entered the working world with a smile on my face; optimistic and slightly overwhelmed. 11 months on, I have a training contract with the firm and a wealth of experience under my belt. Gordons is an excellent place to work as a young aspiring solicitor due to their emphasis on internal progression and the abundance of opportunity made available to junior colleagues.

Foot in the door

After an unsuccessful wave of training contract applications in my second year of university, I decided to take a different approach in the final year of my LLB. Previously, I had applied to a large volume of firms after being advised that it was a ‘numbers game’. Upon reflection, I realised my applications had been quite hollow, so this round I did three to four thoroughly researched and well-thought-out applications. Gordons caught my attention for a number of reasons, but it was their people-focused approach and down-to-earth culture which really encouraged me to apply.

A few weeks later, I was invited to interview with the recruitment panel. This was my first ‘high stakes’ legal interview and I was really nervous, but the team made me feel comfortable right away, instantly reflecting the Gordons ethos that I had fondly read about. Unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut. However, the firm saw something in me and two weeks later I was invited to interview again, this time for a paralegal role. This time round I was offered the job, which I delightfully accepted and started within the month.

Personal and professional development

I was welcomed to the firm with open arms. From the beginning, I felt that my colleagues trusted me as they gave me genuine responsibility. This responsibility was perfectly balanced with a layered support network, creating a ideal environment for growth. My colleagues reinforced the message that there are ‘no stupid questions’, encouraging me to ask for help which they were always happy to deliver. This approachable culture has been fundamental to my personal and professional development. Furthermore, everyone has a voice at Gordons, from day one my ideas and input have been sought after and taken on board. This is highly valuable to me and from experience hard to come by from an employer.

Importantly, this warm culture does not come at the expense of professional opportunity, which is plentiful. Since joining the firm, I have worked on a broad range of complex matters for a wide variety of clients, something which has been integral to my job satisfaction.

For all of the reasons above, I quickly realised this was the place for me, so when the firm opened their training contract application window in winter 2024, I re-applied.

Internal application – aid from colleagues

Before submitting my application, I attended the Gordons trainee insight evening. This was a great opportunity to get application advice from people at all levels within the firm, including the recruitment team, partners and trainees. Furthermore, through speaking to my colleagues I learnt an important lesson – everyone’s journey to the firm and qualification is different, so instead of worrying about what your peers are doing, focus on your own path.

Feeling emboldened, I sent in my application and was promptly invited for an interview. This time round, everything came more naturally. I had so much more experience to draw from due to my time paralegaling, my transferable skills had been refined, confidence boosted and most importantly when asked why I wanted to work for Gordons, my response was genuine. I was offered a training contract and my interviewers noted how far I’d progressed since my application the year before. Second time’s the charm.

Takeaways

1. Attitude – having a positive attitude and approaching your work with enthusiasm will go a long way. Coming in at a junior level you aren’t expected to know everything, but you are expected to work hard and be willing to learn.
2. Opportunity – the opportunities are there; you just have to take them. One thing I’ve learnt is that you can’t always predict how things will turn out, but valuable lessons can be drawn from every experience.
3. Paralegaling – create strong foundations that your legal career can be built on. You will acclimatise to working within the legal profession, learning the business from the ground up whilst developing a broad range of highly transferable skills.

Continue exploring our trainee solicitor scheme.