Legal eagle Chloe urges students to do more than study while at UON

A University of Northampton Law graduate, Chloe Porter urges students to grab the many opportunities on offer at Northampton, to put their academic skills into practice alongside their studies.

Chloe Porter has always had a passion for the Law, as she counts down to donning her cap and gown for graduation, she reflects on her time at UON, and the value of her volunteering and work placement opportunities.

Chloe believes that her Law programme has given her the foundations of a successful legal career, she said: “The Northampton degree allows you to explore the varying kinds of legal practice. The modules give you a chance to learn a good foundation in a wide range of legal topics through the compulsory and elective modules, I particularly enjoyed studying medical law and equity and trusts. The academic side of the course is very interesting and varied, but my advice to students is to start putting those skills to use as early as you can by volunteering or getting placements.”

Alongside her studies, Chloe has volunteered as a Money Mentor for Accommodation Concern, a charity dedicated to anti-poverty and homelessness prevention, based in Kettering. Speaking about this opportunity she said: “The pandemic has resulted in many people facing difficulties, for me, I wanted to use my legal skills from the course to support people. Volunteering for Accommodation Concern was a fantastic learning experience, it’s helped develop my people skills, working with my clients to understand their situation, and then using my research skills to offer them the best advice to manage their debts. As well as using my communication skills to advocate for them in accessing the right kind of support.”

Each year law students have the chance to boost their career path with support from Max Engel Solicitors, through the Max Engel Memorial Bursary and summer work placements. Chloe impressed the judging panel and has recently completed her placement.

Chloe said: “’My work placement at Max Engel has proven a valuable opportunity for me to learn of the day-to-day tasks of a solicitor and the dynamics of a law firm. It has given me the chance to use what I have learned during my degree at the University of Northampton in a legal practice.

“During my time at Max Engel, I have been allowed to shadow and undertake tasks with both the commercial and private client teams. As part of the commercial team, I have had the chance to work on client files on a range of legal issues.

“Equally as valuable, I have sat in on client meetings discussing the preparation and clauses of a Will. I have also had the opportunity to draft a Will and Lasting Power of Attorney forms, giving me the chance to get stuck into the everyday tasks of a solicitor. By spending time in both teams at Max Engel, it has been extremely helpful in proving to me what area of law I would like to practice in and has solidified my passion for personal law.

“Everyone at Max Engel has made me feel part of the team and it is great that they are all so supportive of students from the University of Northampton. I am grateful for my time here at the firm as it has taught me so much and I have developed many new skills. There is no doubt that it has set me up on the right path to be able to go on and achieve my ambition of becoming a solicitor.’’

Helen Carville, Managing Partner at Max Engel and University of Northampton graduate herself, said:” When it comes to recruiting new, early career, talent to Max Engel, I’m always very interested to see when applicants have volunteered, or taken placements to hones their skills. These experiences help applicants to stand out and tell a recruiter a lot about that person, and the way they embrace opportunities and apply themselves.

“Chloe impressed me with her legal knowledge, and her passion to advocate for others, these were two traits that I wanted to nurture throughout her placement opportunity. Chloe has been a pleasure to have at the firm, we have all been impressed with her legal knowledge, as well as her communication skills and her can-do attitude to embracing life in a busy legal practice.”