Howells Helps Future Lawyers | News Howells Solicitors
Make a payment

Howells Helps Future Lawyers

Howells Solicitors

17 Feb, 2015

Law students at The Sheffield College are benefitting from real life law experience thanks to the on going partnership with Howells Solicitors.

Howells Solicitors have linked with Hillsborough College as part of The Sheffield College’s Legal Pathway Group, set up for students looking to enter a career in the profession. The partnership has provided work experience, one-to-one mentoring and shadowing opportunities for students as well as providing the college with guest speakers and sponsorship.

Tom Bernard, Employment Solicitor at Howells, commented: “We are delighted that our relationship with The Sheffield College is enabling students to gain both a practical insight into the legal profession through work placements and talks delivered by Howells staff and receive support and guidance through our successful mentoring scheme.

Through the scheme, we hope to encourage and inspire these students to aim high in their ambitions and to fulfil their potential. Gaining as much experience as possible will help students to strengthen their university applications and we are happy to have the opportunity to help local students gain that advantage. We look forward to continuing this relationship with the college.”

College tutor; Christine Moorey, set up the Legal Pathway Group in 2012 and has built a long standing relationship between The Sheffield College and Howells Solicitors. Over the last 3 years, Howells has invited 52 students in for mentoring sessions and real-life work experience of the legal profession.

Speaking of her experience, student Emily Hinchliffe said “I’ve really enjoyed the experience because I’m learning about law from professionals in the environment where it all takes place, and how to apply my skills. During my placement, I shadowed different solicitors to gain a greater understanding of the range of specialisms, visited the courts, and sat in the public gallery as cases are being heard. After my A-levels I am hoping to go on to study English at one of my chosen Universities and I’m currently considering a law conversion in my fourth year, maybe leading to a future career, thanks to the knowledge I have gained through this work placement.”

Another work experience student; Peri Baldwin, commented “My work experience at Howells was helpful; It helped me decide on the area of law I want to study in the future; medical negligence.  If I hadn’t have gone to Howells and observed the medical negligence team, I wouldn’t have known about this area of the law.  I saw real life cases.

My work experience has helped me with my applications to university this year, without the experience I don’t think my UCAS applications would have been as successful; I had something interesting to talk about in my personal statement.  The partnership between the College and Howells is very advantageous for students.”

As well as work experience, Solicitors from Howells have visited the college to give career talks to tutor groups and have given one-to-one mentoring to several students.

Alex Platts who was given one-to-one mentoring, said “I joined Hillsborough College’s Legal Pathway group in September 2013.  I’d always know I wanted to study law at university and the Legal Pathway helped me gain information about a career in the law.  Howells Solicitors gave me a mentor; Tom Bernard who specialises in Employment Law.  Tom talked to me about his cases and the processes involved.  I saw what a solicitor does on a daily basis.

Howells and The Sheffield College’s Legal Pathway gave me the experience I needed to progress into university; it made a significant difference to the quality of my personal statement.  I have now received two unconditional offers and have decided to accept a place to study law at Sheffield Hallam University.  I’d like to thank Howells for the opportunities they have given me.”

Heather Smith, Principal at The Sheffield College, said: “Our partnership with Howells gives students a chance to gain a practical insight into the legal profession. It enables them to benefit from support and careers guidance from leading legal industry experts, and is part of our exceptional offer designed to provide a clear path to jobs and higher education.”

Extension of the Workers Registration Scheme in 2009 was unlawful

Students travel for Spanish inspiration