Admin Assistant to Solicitor: James Weller’s Journey to Solicitor Qualification

Where I started my journey to become a solicitor

I first began my work in the legal sector when I was 16 years old on my summer breaks, working at Thatcher + Hallam LLP as an administrative assistant, which mainly consisted of filing, organising, filing in on reception and providing general help. As I continued my studies I came back in the holidays and worked part-time in this role.

I began my journey to becoming a qualified solicitor at Oxford Brookes University in 2014 where I studied my Law Degree (LLB) for three years passing with a 2:1 degree in 2017. Many of my friends and associates studied other degrees which they then converted to a law degree in a one year intensive conversion course referred to as the GDL.

Taking time out to travel

From there I took a break from law and travelled the world to Vietnam, The United States, Japan, Korea, El Salvador and many more. There is a drive in the legal sector to not take a break and rush to qualify. However, many solicitors and other professionals I knew often regretted not having the time to travel. Thankfully, with the money I had saved from working my holidays I was privileged enough to see some of the world before qualifying.

The final push to qualification

On my return in 2019 I moved to London to study my Post-Graduate degree referred to as the Legal Practitioners Course (LPC). This was a more specialised and practically focused interpretation of the law which I undertook in conjunction with my Masters degree in Law. I passed my LPC and Masters with Merit in 2020. NB: this process has now changed to the Solicitors Qualifying Exam and there is the option to pass the equivalent of this qualification through the CILEX programme.

Soon thereafter I began my training contract at Thatcher + Hallam LLP in August 2020, initially starting in the commercial property department, then to Personal Injury and onto a Personal Injury and probate hybrid role. Now in August of 2022 I have been certified by the SRA as a qualified and practising Solicitor. I now specialise in claimant orientated personal injury.

In summary, I have been involved hands on in the legal sector for 10 years and studied law specifically for 6 of those.

 At the time of my qualification the fastest completion time was 5 to 6 years. This can be a daunting task to take on so, for any choosing to do so, it’s best to go in eyes wide open and for the right reasons, namely to make a tangible and positive impact in the lives of clients.

Looking back over the years, I am glad that I chose the route I did but there is a variety of options of available to those who wish to pursue a career in the legal sector. I am especially thankful to my colleagues at Thatcher + Hallam who have supported my training and shared an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise in their specialist areas.

My post-qualification plans

I continue to work in the Personal Injury department as a Personal Injury Solicitor, having accrued sufficient experience to be able to confidently assist clients with their injury claims in a compassionate and straightforward manner and to achieve the best outcome. I intend to remain in this area for the foreseeable future as I really enjoy helping those in need at what is often one of the most difficult times in their lives.

To contact James to arrange a free initial no obligation telephone consultation, please contact us or call 01761 414 646.