A Career in Law….
Starting out at Kidd & Spoor
After completing my History Degree at Newcastle University and obtaining my Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP in London I moved back to the North East to enrol on the Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University in 2015. This is the “final leg” of academia for budding trainees where the necessary professional skills are learnt to make it in a career in law; a career I was by now, eager to begin.
During my LPC I tried very hard to find opportunities for my career in law and ultimately get a training contract. My route, however, would not be that straight forward; an all too familiar story in the incredibly competitive world of the law graduate. Two and a half years later, I had worked for two law firms, one in Sunderland and another on the outskirts of Newcastle city centre. After three months of intensive work experience in my first post I landed the exciting opportunity to work as a Paralegal in the residential property department. Always with a training contract in mind I moved on to my second firm in 2017, again cutting my teeth in the Conveyancing department.
In mid-2018, having been there for a considerable period of time and with no guarantee of a training contract on the horizon I started to reconsider my options. I was soon to be 30 and I had set myself a personal goal to be training by that age.
I was looking to purchase a property and North Tyneside was the area of focus. It was perhaps fate that a colleague and friend was able to arrange a meeting for me with a long established, well respected firm in Whitley Bay – Kidd & Spoor Solicitors.
I attended the interview and spoke with Noel Dilks and Nigel Miller (Directors) and Carol Natrass (Office Manager). The meeting had an informal, friendly vibe and I loved the ethos of Kidd & Spoor – an emphasis on client care and providing excellent legal service. A few days later I met with Christine Blenkinsop, the Head of Residential Conveyancing, with whom I had already had spoken and corresponded through previous transactions. I immediately liked what I heard and wanted to be a part of the Department moving forward.
Shortly after my interviews I was offered a training contract by Kidd & Spoor. It was the best feeling because it had been a long road to start my career in law, and to me it meant that my degree and my LPC truly meant something. I was already proud of my degree but having it didn’t automatically mean I was going to be a solicitor – and that’s the goal, that’s what I am ultimately aiming for.
When I started work as a Trainee, I was obviously nervous – as everyone is starting out in a new job. I was fortunate to be working alongside Christine and I was surprised at how quickly I settled in and found my feet. The Department was so welcoming and it had a great team spirit.
I started off assisting with Christine’s matters. She provided consistent feedback to my work and I managed to get involved in the cases and with the clients straightaway. Fortunately, Kidd & Spoor’s residential conveyancing clients know exactly what they want, what kind of service they expect and the potential costs, and this was what I endeavoured to deliver. I have now been at Kidd & Spoor for eight months and have my own caseload. I pride myself on giving my clients a great standard of client care and providing excellent legal advice whether they are purchasing, selling, transferring or remortgaging a residential property.
