Pupils gain valuable insight into the law
Garstang solicitor visiting schools
The lawyers of the future are getting a head start thanks to Vincents Solicitors. The Lancashire law firm has been supporting a variety of high school careers evenings and mock interviews, with staff meeting pupils considering a career in the law.
Claire Burns from Vincents Garstang office is a private client executive and Court of Protection Specialist, assisting clients where a family member has lost mental capacity. She has been particularly active and is hoping more schools will take up her offer of a visit, as she seeks to spread a very important message.
“I never thought I was clever enough to do the job I do now, I didn’t know any lawyers and didn’t know what they did, but I was fairly sure I couldn’t be one. Of course I’m glad to say things turned out differently, and I love my career, but I came to the law later than most and that’s partly because I didn’t know enough as a youngster.
“There are lots of preconceptions about the job and how you get into it, most people don’t realise there are several ways of becoming a lawyer, you don’t simply have to do a law degree. Many young people don’t really know much about what the job entails, and how varied it can be and how solicitors can really make a difference in people’s lives.
“It is vital that those of us working in the profession get out there and educate youngsters about what we do, and encourage them to consider it as a career. It would have made such a difference to me to have had someone give me all of this information while I was still at school.”
Claire has taken part in events at Morecambe High School in Lancashire, Giggleswick in North Yorkshire, and Kirkbie Kendal School in Cumbria. “I very much enjoyed meeting students at all three schools and the feedback I’ve had is that they got a lot out of it too. Vincents is very keen to support the next generation with events like this and I’m hoping we can get involved with more schools in the new year.”
Vincents Solicitors has six offices across Lancashire, in Preston, Garstang, Longridge, Chorley, Lytham and Penwortham. Schools are welcome to get in touch with Claire directly by emailing claire.burns@vslaw.co.uk ENDS
Pictured: Vincents Solicitors’ Claire Burns