BEST LAW LECTURER
Other nominees:
particular challenge for equity and trusts, which has a bad reputation for inducing widespread apprehension and confusion!” His many student fans responded in kind – this comment captures the sentiment of dozens of others: “Ben is always enthusiastic. He has a passion for even the driest topics and encourages students to engage by using humour and anecdotes. He goes beyond the basic requirements of a lecturer to ensure our success in which he shows a genuine interest, and he is an outstanding lecturer.” And the feeling is more than mutual: “I feel privileged to be part of my students’ learning journeys and to see them develop their skills, abilities and passion for the law; I really cannot think of anything that I would rather do.” However, these days a passion for the law is not enough for would- be legal eagles – there is no getting away from the fact that students are entering an extremely competitive recruitment environment. “It can be difficult to obtain a training contract and employment on qualification, so students need to focus on making themselves as employable and attractive to potential employers as possible in order to stand out from the crowd,” Ben reflects. “One way to do this is to become actively involved in the wider, extracurricular life of the law school, through things such as study skills sessions, employability events, mooting and the student law society.” It is also crucial to gain hands- on experience through work placements, internships and pro bono work (eg at student law clinics, Citizens’ Advice or a local personal support unit). “Even if the experience is not in a field of law which is of immediate interest to you, the opportunities to gain insight into recruitment processes,
range of guidance and inspiration that is widely available, including from “academic staff, careers/ employability services and external organisations, such as LawCareers.Net and Aspiring Solicitors”. Ben reiterates that at the heart of it all is the need to effectively engage with your studies: “Be sure to enjoy university life, but also study as hard as you can throughout your degree so that employers can see your capacity for hard work, common sense and commitment. It will help you to build on and develop your passion for the law and also to appreciate the truly holistic value of a law degree or GDL.” Finally, Ben urges students to hold onto their sense of selves and their faith in their own abilities: “Do not let coming from a working- class background or minority/ underrepresented group hold you back or stop you from appreciating the real value that your own diverse and rich experiences can bring to the profession.” What students said: “Ben is full of enthusiasm, genuinely supportive and uncommonly kind as a lecturer. He cares greatly for each student’s success and goes above and beyond to help in any way he can. I feel incredibly privileged to have been taught by him.” “Ben is there if you need help and will always make time in his busy schedule to see his students. He is someone to confide in if you are struggling and will go to great lengths to help you succeed. He is one of the main reasons why my experience at the university has been so enjoyable.” “Ben has time for you, no matter what time of the day or week it is. He also does simple things, like making sure that all of the materials are available to us at exactly the right times. I feel honoured to be taught by him!”
Daniel Berger University: University of Hertfordshire
Top tip: “You are your own USP, so make sure that you are the best, most authentic version of yourself that you can be.”
Mike Gordon University: University of Liverpool
Top tip: “Read as widely as possible, to try to understand how law really works in political, economic and social context.”
David Hodgkinson University: University of Derby
Top tip: “Be fearless!”
Caroline Hunter University: University of York
Top tip: “Find the bit of law that really gets you going. It does not matter what it is – family, crime, human rights, governance of companies (mine is housing law) – your passion will shine through.”
Mary Lee University: University of Sussex
Top tip: “Don’t forget the fundamentals. At a time when the route to becoming a legal professional is in transition, with an enhanced focus on professional and employability skills, remember that a good lawyer must always be able not only to understand and apply the law, but also to be creative and critically challenge the legal order.”
Ryan Murphy University: Aston University
Top tip: “Seek out experiences that demonstrate a sustained commitment to the law – volunteering at Citizens Advice or your local personal support unit can really add value to your academic profile.”
the law in practice and to build your professional network, are invaluable,” says Ben. And don’t forget about the
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LawCareers.Net
Best in Law 2016
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