Casey M.
About me
| Casey M. | |
| Law | |
| Law | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Vanbrugh | |
| 2015 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Legal Counsel (Disputes) | |
| LKQ | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Retail and sales | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2022 |
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A day in the life of a Legal Counsel (Disputes) in the United Kingdom
I have experience in law firms and working with the legal department of a few businesses in the Construction and Automotive industries.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
I work for a retailer that sells vehicle parts, along with leisure and marine goods to trade customers and the general public.
What do you do?
I am a member of the legal team, handling consumer and trade disputes, along with ad hoc legal queries that the business has.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer, but I didn't decide to become a solicitor until part-way through my degree. I fell into working in-house (in the legal department of a company, rather than for a law firm) when I graduated, and realised that I far prefer the broader scope (and the opportunity to proactively make changes following resolution of a dispute) that the role offers.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
Yes! At point of graduation, I expected to be a solicitor working in a law firm. I didn't know what area I wanted to specialise in, as I had no real practical experience at that stage.
Describe your most memorable day at work
My first trial experience comes to mind. I was so anxious, and then relieved when it was over, and a positive result achieved.
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
People generally only talk to litigators when there is a real (or perceived) issue, and so often there are expectations that the matter is urgent and must be resolved immediately, which is rarely the way a dispute is resolved.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
I work predominantly remotely, and so spend a lot of my days advising via conference calls or drafting. I don't have a strict dress code. I have a decent work life balance, even though my workload is largely reactive (due to the nature of my job).
Honesty and integrity are the main values underpinning my work, although the company has a code of ethics and a set of values.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I was an environment officer for Vanbrugh JCRC, took Italian classes, attended a political association (through which we ran a fair pay campaign for campus employees), and I served as the treasurer for a few clubs. We also established the Irish Society, and ran various events including for St Patrick's day. I also tried out various clubs like boxing and clay pigeon shooting.
I definitely learned to prioritise and manage my time as a result, which have proved helpful at work. Being a treasurer taught me budgeting skills also.
What would you like to do next with your career?
I don't have any plans to change at this stage, and I am happy just working on developing my knowledge.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Not having a job lined up in your chosen field (or at all) after graduation isn't always a bad thing, and a graduate scheme straight after graduation isn't your only route in. In fact, in law, it is now a lot less common than I thought! Try to gain experience however you can, and don't underestimate the importance of gaining office experience, regardless of the field. Even understanding office etiquette will be really helpful when you graduate (and you can gain this experience through temping agencies in the holidays).
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
I have experience in law firms and working with the legal department of a few businesses in the Construction and Automotive industries. I am happy to answer more general questions also.
Next steps...
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