Fledgling legal eagle ready to take wing
CLODAGH LODGE aims to gain international experience while training to become a commercial law solicitor.
The 20yearold, from Droitwich, West Midlands, is in her final year of her LLB (Hons) law degree at the University of Law, Birmingham.
She began the twoyear accelerated course after gaining As in her history and economics Alevels and a B in French at Worcester sixthform college.
Clodagh says: ‘I used to go to the crown court in Worcester and sit in on cases.
‘But I did some work experience while I was at sixthform college with Weightmans in Birmingham. It was at that point I realised law wasn’t all about criminal law.
‘That’s what sparked my interest in commercial law. I’d studied economics, so it all made sense to me and I thought this was a job I could do.
‘I’m really enjoying the course. It’s quite intense, but it’s given me a really good oversight, and insight, into all the areas of law.
‘At the moment I’m doing coursework for the “law in action” module. That essentially gives you an overview of the different types of practice in commercial property — it gives you a wider scope.’
Clodagh is currently applying for a training contract — a twoyear placement within a law firm — at the end of which she will be a newly qualified solicitor.
She says: ‘Usually, the best way to secure a training contract is to undergo a vacation scheme. That gives you some work experience — the firm gets to see how you work and you get a feel for the firm.
‘The training contract usually involves rotating every six months and getting a feel for different areas of practice.
‘I’m really keen to do a secondment abroad. A lot of the firms I’ve applied to for training contracts have sixmonth seats in places like Dubai or Australia. That would be amazing.
‘I’ve also done work experience before with DLA Piper and Irwin Mitchell. When I was there, I was exposed to employment law and going to tribunals.
‘I’ve got an upcoming vacation scheme with eversheds. I’m really keen to try out corporate law.’
She advises potential law students to get as much work experience as possible.
‘even if you can’t get a vacation scheme, undertake things like pro
bono [unpaid legal work] because it really does expose you to what the law is all about and it gives you better experience of working with people,’ she says.
‘It gives you all those essential skills you need for a career as a solicitor.’
FoR more information about the University of Law, go to law.ac.uk