BEST LAW LECTURER
be taken in by those who say that all you have to do in your first year is pass. While first-year marks may not count for classification, they do appear on your array and you will present as a much better candidate if a prospective employer can see that you have been committed and hardworking from the start of your degree.” However, it is not just the core academic subjects in which you must excel – Mary is also heavily involved in developing study and extracurricular skills, such as client interviewing. And while she acknowledges that students are rightfully concerned about securing employment in such a competitive recruitment environment, she also thinks there are a number of things that they can do to make themselves attractive to potential employers and, “ultimately, to become better lawyers.” She recommends the following: “Students should involve themselves in extracurricular activities such as mooting, negotiating or client interviewing. Taking part offers an important – and enjoyable – way for students to experience and develop their interpersonal and communication skills. These skills are highly transferable and evidence determination and commitment to succeed as a legal professional. This is all the more important now as the landscape within which law students will qualify is changing.” Warming to her theme, Mary suggests that it’s never too early to demonstrate that commitment by attending work placements, internships, vacation schemes and the like, especially with an increasing number of firms running schemes specifically for first years. “Even the shortest experiences are valuable in helping you to identify and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses,” she adds. “You also get the chance to build up a network of professional contacts and to familiarise yourself with the variety of recruitment processes.” Finally, if you really want to succeed as a legal professional, you
have to embrace the corresponding mindset from the very beginning of your studies. Mary elaborates: “Engage with all the study skills opportunities that you are offered, particularly problem solving. Learn to isolate the legal from the factual and to efficiently and effectively apply the law – this skill is of course excellent for seminars and assessments too.” With so many devoted students praising Mary’s excellent advice – and helping her to secure this prestigious award – you ignore her words at your peril. What students said: “Mary is charismatic, funny and passionate about her subject. She is brilliant at giving lectures and seminars and makes you feel like she is addressing you directly, even in a huge lecture theatre. Her knowledge is without fault and she delivers it in a brilliant way.” “Mary’s lectures are interactive, filled with examples and thorough explanations of the material. She is student-oriented and exudes a jovial and warm spirit, which makes her very approachable.” “Mary has the ability to make topics which should reduce me to tears understandable, relatable and fun to learn.”
are everything and to help them, you need to understand what they need.
Benjamin Jones University: University of South Wales
Top tip : Whatever your background may be, have faith in your abilities and your own unique qualities that you can bring to the profession. Focus on employability and professional skills, work hard and most of all be passionate about the path you choose to follow. Rachael Mulheron University: Queen Mary University of London Top tip : It is worthwhile being flexible at the start of your career in the legal profession. It doesn’t matter if you start in an area of law or at a firm, or even in a country or a town, which you weren’t quite planning for. Every single person that you encounter along the journey can teach you valuable lessons about the law, and the practice of the law, which will be really useful in your career. Just be open to learning from them all. Top tip : Be proactive during your studies and take advantage of the opportunities your university is offering to enhance your employability. Securing good grades is often seen as a priority for students, but building an impressive CV that demonstrates experience gained in the real world will make you stand out from the crowd. There are many flexible ways to boost your CV while studying; involvement in pro bono projects and undertaking summer vacation placements provide an excellent opportunity to make a contribution to your community and develop your practical skills with the guidance and support of qualified practitioners. Andreas Yiannaros University: University of Bedfordshire
Other nominees:
Adam Baker University: University of Leeds
Top tip : Give plenty of thought to how you are going to sell your skills to prospective employers and clients.
Mihael Jeklic University: King’s College London
Top tip : Acquire at least a basic working knowledge of finance and business methods. It will allow you to communicate with, understand and effectively assist your clients. Clients
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LawCareers.Net
Best in Law 2017
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