Lauren - Defending the Public
Lauren Moult
Trainee Solicitor at Higgs LLP
LLB (Hons) Law and Masters in Legal Practice (LPC)
Lauren wanted to study the law to make a real change in people’s lives. She embraced all the opportunities available to her at BCU, including volunteering at BCU’s Law Clinic. This experience motivated her to undertake a postgraduate degree after her studies, and she is now on her way towards her dream career after securing a competitive training contract as a trainee solicitor.
"Going to university was always a goal for me. I knew I wanted to continue my education journey, but I wasn’t too sure what subject was right for me. I discovered a love for the TV show Suits, which prompted me to do some research into being a lawyer. It sounded like a really interesting career, so my mind was made up – a law degree it was!
As I came closer to choosing which university I wanted to attend, it wasn’t just the course or the reputation I considered, but the university itself and how it made me feel. Compared to other university open days, I felt the most welcome at BCU. There were lots of current staff and students to talk to and ask about their experiences, all of which were overwhelmingly positive.
At the open day, I ended up taking part in a mock court case in BCU's mock Crown Court. It showed me that BCU would prepare me for my career as a lawyer, being able to carry out mock cases and moots is a great learning experience.
BCU gave me so many opportunities to gain professional experience and develop the skills I'd need for a career in Law. Throughout my degree, I volunteered for a charity called Support Through Court at the BCU Law Clinic. The Law Clinic is where BCU law students can volunteer to give legal advice to the public and make a difference in the legal community. Working with the charity gave me real-world experience and made me more confident when talking to clients and making connections in the legal world.
The practice-based learning at BCU taught me how to complete tasks that now do daily in my role as a trainee solicitor. For example, I learnt how to complete a divorce application, and this is something I have done multiple times during my training contract in my family law seat.
As a trainee solicitor in the Higgs LLP family team, I have been exposed to a wide range of different areas of family law. I've predominantly dealt with divorce and finances, during which I have drafted divorce applications, dealt with financial disclosure, drafted offer letters and much more. I have also worked on children matters, domestic abuse matters, cohabitation disputes, and nuptial agreements.
I have just started work in my second seat where I am in the wealth department within our private client team. At the moment I am predominately dealing with Wills.
The legal industry can be very competitive and before my degree, I worried that the fact I went to BCU would hold me back. Unfortunately, some people still think that attending a Russell Group university means you’ve had a better education, but that’s simply not true. I gained far more practical experience and guidance at BCU than many other graduates, which meant my application stood out amongst others. It’s notoriously difficult to secure a training contract, and I believe it’s my work experience which sets me apart.
I’m very proud to be a BCU alumna. I wouldn’t change my experience at BCU; it’s made me the person I am today. I’m on my way to securing my dream role, and I know that’s because of my experience at BCU.”
