We talk to trainee solicitor, Helen Spencer on International Women’s day.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I now live in Oxfordshire with my husband and daughter, but I grew up in the sunny climbs of Teesside.
Why did you decide to train to be a lawyer?
My dad was a lawyer with his own firm and my mum used to work for him sometimes. I grew up around the office and always loved it. I wanted my own leather topped desk!
As a child, I actually wanted to be an astronaut…but I don’t like flying so that career path swiftly changed.
What sort of law are you most interested in and why?
For learning – Criminal, Lecturers are usually brilliantly anecdotal! Practising – Property. I love helping take some of the stress out of moving house.
Describe some of the challenges you have faced. How did you overcome them?
I finished my LPC at the time the Lehman Bank collapsed and also at the time legal aid was very much up in the air. It was a difficult time for students coming out of their LPC’s to get training contracts.
In terms of successes, which accomplishments are you most proud of?
Perseverance in working in Law. It can have its challenges day to day but it is also very rewarding in so many ways.
What’s the best advice you can give to someone who just started their career?
Don’t give up! It is worth it in the end! I am 15 years post LPC and I have just started my Training Contract with Hedges! And try not to skip your Friday afternoon lectures in Medical Negligence…
Tell me something about you that most people don’t know or tell us something about you that is unique or different.
International Women’s Day also happens to be my birthday! So this is very fitting!
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