You were right, Grandad, I will be a Lawyer. Rachael's journey through law

“She will be a Lawyer” was the sentence my Grandfather used to say whenever he heard me arguing my point as a child. Of course, perhaps in an act of defiance, I did not listen to him and decided to read English Language and Linguistics at university.

I had first started studying law at GCSE level. I knew in my heart that I wanted to work in Law, but it was not an option for me at college and I found myself following the route of English Language and Linguistics, a subject I really enjoyed.

After finishing university, I went back to life working in restaurants with no clear path ahead of me. Soon after, I got my job at Battens working on the reception of the Weymouth office. My partner told me it was a foot in the door. I found myself hoping that one day I would have learnt enough to take up a role as a legal secretary. But Battens saw potential in me. I remember the day the head of HR and our CEO turned up in Weymouth and asked to speak to me. “What have I done wrong” I thought. They asked me if I wanted to be a lawyer. I do not think I even paused before saying yes.

So, then it started, that same day I was enrolled on the course and started studying through the CILEx route. I quickly moved from Reception to being an assistant in our debt recovery department. I then transferred to the Yeovil office where I started to work in Dispute Resolution and Property Dispute Resolution. I knew straight away that this was the area for me. I now work in the department running my own cases.

Studying was hard. I worked full-time and then fitted the studying in around that. Mornings, evenings and weekends – whenever I had a spare moment I would be studying.

Over the years I have completed many legal exams and progressed in my career. I now have much more confidence in myself and my ability. I have now finished my CILEx exams having passed them all.

Usually, the next step would be to produce a portfolio of work and to qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive. However, I have decided that I would like to now qualify as a Solicitor. Battens have agreed to me taking this route and I will soon begin the new SQE course which has replaced the traditional LPC.

I am so proud of where I am today, which I could not have done without the support of Battens. They have believed in me from day one and I hope I continue to make them proud going forward.

You were right, Grandad, I will be a Lawyer.