Hi everyone,
I’ve just finished my degree in Linguistics with Arabic at Warwick (2:1, dissertation on legal language and corpus linguistics, which ended up being both fascinating and punishing in equal measure). I’ll be starting the PGDL at the University of Law this September, with the plan of moving onto the SQE in 2026.
My academic background isn’t law in the strict sense, but the overlap became clear quickly: analysing syntax and morphology feels very close to picking apart contracts, and the discipline of dealing with complex rules transfers neatly.
Experience-wise, I volunteered with a legal immigration charity this year - advising at Yarl’s Wood and Gatwick IRC, taking helpline calls, and preparing forms. It taught me the value of clear communication under pressure, and how much rests on small details when the stakes are high. Outside of that, I’ve boxed competitively, which has given me the habits of preparation and resilience, and I spent time as an Officer Cadet in the Army Reserves (including the rather surreal experience of carrying the flag at the Ashes). I’ve also worked as a tutor and lifeguard, which drilled in responsibility in a very direct way.
I’m currently applying to winter vacation schemes - Sidley, A&O Shearman, Ashurst among them - and learning to navigate the mixture of psychometric tests, online experiences, and interviews that come with the process.
Looking forward to being part of this forum - mostly to learn from people ahead of me in the cycle, swap ideas on applications, and hopefully contribute where I can. 😅
I’ve just finished my degree in Linguistics with Arabic at Warwick (2:1, dissertation on legal language and corpus linguistics, which ended up being both fascinating and punishing in equal measure). I’ll be starting the PGDL at the University of Law this September, with the plan of moving onto the SQE in 2026.
My academic background isn’t law in the strict sense, but the overlap became clear quickly: analysing syntax and morphology feels very close to picking apart contracts, and the discipline of dealing with complex rules transfers neatly.
Experience-wise, I volunteered with a legal immigration charity this year - advising at Yarl’s Wood and Gatwick IRC, taking helpline calls, and preparing forms. It taught me the value of clear communication under pressure, and how much rests on small details when the stakes are high. Outside of that, I’ve boxed competitively, which has given me the habits of preparation and resilience, and I spent time as an Officer Cadet in the Army Reserves (including the rather surreal experience of carrying the flag at the Ashes). I’ve also worked as a tutor and lifeguard, which drilled in responsibility in a very direct way.
I’m currently applying to winter vacation schemes - Sidley, A&O Shearman, Ashurst among them - and learning to navigate the mixture of psychometric tests, online experiences, and interviews that come with the process.
Looking forward to being part of this forum - mostly to learn from people ahead of me in the cycle, swap ideas on applications, and hopefully contribute where I can. 😅
Wishing you all the best this cycle!
