University of Manchester Careers Blog

Written by Sophie Cooke, Solicitor at Government Legal Profession and UoM Alumni. 

I studied English Law with French Law at the University of Manchester between 2010 and 2014. I had a fantastic time there and really enjoyed my degree, particularly the public law modules I studied. I knew I wanted to work in that area of law, so when I heard that the Government Legal Profession (GLP) offered training contracts, it seemed like the perfect fit. I successfully applied just after my graduation and in September 2016 I joined the Government Legal Department, which is the largest provider of legal services within the GLP.

 

 

During my training contract I undertook two seats in litigation, one in private law and the other in public law. I had my own caseload in both seats that I ran autonomously but with plenty of support from my supervisors and wider teams. I also had the opportunity to assist with bigger, high profile cases, some of which were before the Supreme Court. I then did two advisory seats – one in the Department for Education advising on student finance and one in the Department for Work and Pensions advising on maternity benefits and benefit fraud. After qualifying this September, I joined the Northern Ireland Office Legal Advisers team. I just finished working on my first Bill, supporting Ministers during its passage through Parliament, and I am currently advising on Brexit-related legal issues.

 

A training contract with the GLP is varied, interesting and rewarding. Trainees are given responsibility for real legal work at an early stage and their input is always welcomed and valued by more senior colleagues. The work is at times fast-paced and often dominates news headlines. There are also lots of opportunities for further training and development. If you are interested in public law or the interface between law and politics, the GLP might be the place for you

I will be at the Law Fair on 13 November with three colleagues – please visit the GLP stand to find out more.

 

Register and find out more about the Law Fair: http://bit.ly/lawfair18