As part of National Conveyancing Week we have spoken to two of our lawyers in our Bicester Residential Property team, asking them to share their story to help inspire others who are considering the profession.
Caroline Hennessey:
“I finished my A Levels at College and began to consider my next steps. I had secured a placement at University to study Business Studies and Astronomy, but part of me really wanted a job and to get out and work, so I made the choice to put further studies aside and went out into the working world.
Like many young people, I was a 19-year-old with no idea as to what I wanted to do. I decided to apply for two jobs, Cabin Crew for Virgin and a Junior Legal Secretary in Conveyancing, Family and Criminal law. Two quite different professions!
Clearly, the legal profession chose me as I received an interview for the Legal Secretary position and secured the job. 27 years on and I have remained in the legal profession without looking back.
I progressed to a Senior Legal Secretary, went onto another Solicitors firm as a PA and eventually moved to Oxfordshire 12 years ago where I took up the position of an Assistant. I am now a fee earner and studying to be a Licensed Conveyancer. Having passed my Level 4, I am progressing to completing my Level 6, which I hope to pass at the end of the year. I have gained valuable experience, initially starting at a junior role to now progressing up to a senior level.
I have worked in many fields of law over the years but decided to concentrate solely on Conveyancing. The job is busy and varied, and I love interacting and helping people. You are on a journey with the people you are working for, helping them with what is likely to be one of the biggest purchases they’re ever going to make. This is a part of the job I find highly rewarding.
As with every job, there are challenges. Working with unexpected delays in the legal process or property defects that come up when viewing the paperwork is a couple of those. As an experienced team at SE-Solicitors, we tackle these problems head on, communicate with the client at every step and get them resolved as quick as possible for a smooth transaction.”
Javeria Tahir:
“To take part in National Conveyancing Week, I have been reflecting back on my journey which has led me to qualify as a Residential Property Solicitor.
Despite already being sure of my path into the legal profession, studying law at university helped reinforce my desire to become a Solicitor. After graduating, I managed to obtain a job as a legal assistant at a local high-street firm in Buckinghamshire, where I worked primarily on residential property matters. I later moved to a leading firm in Berkshire, where I worked as a paralegal in their Residential Property team. During this period, I was also studying to take the Legal Practice Course (LPC) part-time on weekends. It was challenging to say the least, but definitely worth it.
On completing my LPC, I managed to secure a training contract with the same firm I had been working with. I undertook seats in their Residential Property team, Contested Probate team and Commercial Property team. I subsequently qualified in their Real Estate team in 2021, concentrating on Commercial Property matters. After 2 years of working post-qualification, I realised that my passion resided in Residential Property. I subsequently made the decision to return to Residential Property, and in my move to do so I joined the leading regional law firm SE-Solicitors in August 2023.
As a Residential Property Solicitor, one of my favourite aspects of the job is the level of client interaction I get to experience, and I really enjoy being able to help clients with all of their property matters.”
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