The Legal Leap: My Personal Journey into the Legal World
Chantelle Pusey – Trainee Solicitor
Company News
For many, the journey into the legal world feels like an impossible mountain to climb and for some it’s a journey that feels very distant and often out of reach. That is why I want to share my own journey into law: the moments of uncertainty, the mistakes, the triumphs and the lessons learnt along the way. I hope to offer an insight, encouragement and inspiration for anyone embarking on their own legal leap.
Why law? That is a question I would frequently be asked by my peers, family members and professionals. For me, law was exciting, challenging and above all rewarding. We all want to feel as if we are contributing positively to society but for me law was not about my story, it was about others and the impact I could have on others during difficult chapters in their lives. That is why I fell in love with family law. It gives me an opportunity to guide individuals and families through a time that is emotional, stressful and deeply personal.
Why law? That is a question I would frequently be asked by my peers, family members and professionals. For me, law was exciting, challenging and above all rewarding. We all want to feel as if we are contributing positively to society but for me law was not about my story, it was about others and the impact I could have on others during difficult chapters in their lives. That is why I fell in love with family law. It gives me an opportunity to guide individuals and families through a time that is emotional, stressful and deeply personal.
The thought of university always excited me, the freedom, the transition, the growth, and the new opportunities that were presented. However, my university experience wasn’t all that I envisioned it to be. Going to university during 2020 meant social isolation, online learning, a lack of networking and uncertainty as to the future. The sudden shift meant that the way in which we learned and socialised needed to be adapted. This was a challenge. Learning from home meant distractions, a lack of structure and a lack of motivation. On top of this, there was an immense feeling of loneliness and anxiety at having to navigate through this unfamiliar territory without the typical support systems that would ordinarily be available.
Despite these challenges, university taught me many valuable lessons. It taught me about flexibility, discipline, perseverance and independence. The shift to online learning required an increased level of self-discipline and resilience. The experience forced me to adapt in ways that I had never expected. Whilst the ability to meet new people was limited with the restrictions on social gatherings and even basic campus activities, I was able to find new ways to learn, connect and succeed. I was therefore able to carry these fundamental skills into the next chapter of my life.
This resilience, perseverance and flexibility was crucial once I had graduated university and was entering the ‘real world’. Whilst university was fundamental and a great experience, it did not provide me with many practical skills. I had completed the odd course, Q &A sessions with local firms and a week’s work experience, but nothing substantial. This was my downfall when it came to searching and applying for jobs within the legal sector. After countless applications, long interviews and assessment days, I was always faced with the same outcome, rejection. It began to feel like an endless cycle, resulting in an email with the famous ‘Thank you for your application. We regret to inform you that at this stage we will not be taking your application any further’. I would be applying for a job to get experience but would be rejected because I didn’t have any experience. At first it felt like a setback but after numerous rejections one starts to feel disappointment, self-doubt and a sense of defeat that starts to affect your confidence. You start to think maybe law isn’t for me.
One of the hardest things I found when applying for jobs was the why? I think it is crucial to step back and think why do you actually want the role you are applying for? At the time of applying, I was struggling to find roles within family law firms, so I decided to branch out and consider other areas of law. For me this was a mistake because I had my heart set on family law, and I knew the type of career I wanted to pursue. When applying for a big commercial company in London I remember being halfway through a video interview where you have 2 minutes to prepare your answer and 5 minutes to record your answer, and I was asked, ‘why do you want to pursue commercial law and why with this firm’? I sat there for about 30 seconds thinking about the question, and it was at this point that I realised I didn’t want to pursue a career in commercial law. From that moment onwards I decided to be true to myself and only apply for jobs that I had a passion for.
For many, including myself, the journey to securing a training contract is a key stepping stone in becoming a ‘successful lawyer’, but what is success and how is it measured? We all have different perceptions of what success is and one thing that I have realised is that you need to find out what success looks like for you and not compare yourself to those around you. When I was applying for training contracts, at times it felt like it was survival of the fittest. It was a constant battle, and I felt no matter how hard I worked, I was just one of the many hopeful applicants that would face rejection.
Despite the constant rejection, I was able to successfully navigate through the highs and lows and push forward. The hard work and dedication paid off and I was presented with an amazing opportunity at Purcell Solicitors, a family law firm in Milton Keynes. When I saw the email of acceptance I felt an overwhelming sense of relief, excitement, gratitude and accomplishment. What felt like an impossible dream finally became a reality.
Whilst exciting, stepping into a new environment and workplace can feel very scary and daunting. There is the fear of failure, not fitting in, being unable to learn the ropes and the pressure to succeed. Looking back now, I can see that these feelings were normal. It is important to embrace those feelings and recognise that in time you will grow more confident and comfortable. Every day there will be a new learning experience and with failure comes growth and development. Mistakes happen; we are human. What is important is recognising your mistake and understanding that every time you fail you gain new knowledge and insight. Reframing your mindset to see failure in a more constructive light is key to success. I have learnt that failure and mistake was and always will be a part of my journey rather than a roadblock.
Whilst working as a legal assistant I did not just gain legal knowledge, I also gained emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills. I have had the privilege of working alongside senior solicitors and barristers on a range of complex cases. I have gained hands-on experience with case management, legal research, drafting legal documents, client communication and assisting in preparation for Court hearings. Being a legal assistant was a rewarding and dynamic role that provided me with invaluable experience. The feeling of helping families navigate through some of the most difficult decisions they face and providing them with the support and guidance needed to rebuild their lives is beyond measurable.
I am proud to say that my journey did not stop there, and I am now a trainee solicitor with Purcell Solicitors. Whilst I loved being a legal assistant, it was important for me to continue with my professional development and career progression. Going back to studying, alongside working full time is a challenge. Balancing your professional and academic duties requires excellent time management, resilience and discipline. However, this opportunity has allowed me to gain both practical experience and academic knowledge at the same time. The skills I develop will help me prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in my legal career. Starting as a legal assistant allowed me to gain the knowledge and confidence so that a firm was willing to take a chance on me as a trainee solicitor. It is important to show what you can bring to a firm and why they should take a leap of faith on you.
The journey to becoming a lawyer is not an easy one and there will be times that you stumble and fall but it is important to get back up and try again. If I had the opportunity to do it all over again, I would make sure that I gained valuable work experience by networking and building legal connections from an early stage. I also recommend finding what you have a passion for instead of focussing on things that don’t amount to your version of success and what you want from your legal career. It can be very easy to compare yourself to those around you and not feel like you are going in the right direction or good enough, but comparison is the thief of joy. At first, the struggle to get a training contract made me doubt myself and question my abilities but I take the view that as one door closes another opens. Deciding to work in a boutique firm was one of the best decisions I have made as I am able to get hands on experience and personalised mentorship. I feel I am valued as an individual instead of being a small cog in a massive machine.
Above all else I would tell myself it’s okay to make mistakes and it’s okay to not succeed at something straight away. Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes hard work and perseverance. Trust yourself, and what might seem out of reach today could be within your grasp tomorrow.
This experience so far has been incredibly rewarding and as I navigate this exciting and challenging journey, I know that with each step I take into the legal world I am presented with endless learning, growth and opportunity.
