I could not be further from war torn Basra
city sweltering in 50 degree heat. A couple of
years ago I was on my second tour of duty in
Iraq with the British Army, now I am training
with international law firm Bird & Bird.
Having completed a degree in Applied
Marine Biology and worked as a voluntary
research scientist, I joined the Army looking
for adventure. I trained at Sandhurst and
joined an Infantry regiment. It turned out to
be an exciting time to join the forces. Within a
few months I was deployed as a peacekeeper
to Kosovo helping to control ethnic violence
between Serbs and Albanians. Over the next
few years I worked in countries all over the
world including Canada, Germany, Poland,
Cyprus, Gibraltar, New Zealand and the
Middle East.
Having completed a degree in Applied
Marine Biology and worked as a voluntary
research scientist, I joined the Army looking
for adventure. I trained at Sandhurst and
joined an Infantry regiment. It turned out to
be an exciting time to join the forces. Within a
few months I was deployed as a peacekeeper
to Kosovo helping to control ethnic violence
between Serbs and Albanians. Over the next
few years I worked in countries all over the
world including Canada, Germany, Poland,
Cyprus, Gibraltar, New Zealand and the
Middle East.
Soon after returning from the war, we were
back in Iraq to assist with the first post conflict
elections. Between patrols I started a distance
learning Masters in Business Administration.
I was 29 and had spent almost 8 years as a
solider but with my interest in both business
and law growing; I resolved to make a career
change. I was keen to exploit my MBA and
science degree in a commercial firm with an
excellent IP department. Bird & Bird was
top of my list and fortunately offered me a
training contract prior to leaving the Army.
I received several excellent recommendations
about the firm before joining and now I really
enjoy the high quality work. From my first
visit I had a good sense that the firm's culture
was right for me. They were receptive to
my previous experience whilst being honest
and frank about the realities of starting a
new profession. I also liked the policies on
diversity, community work and extra mural
activities which are not works of fiction but
actually pursued.
There are many factors that older entrants
to the legal profession must consider. It is
important to realise how long it takes to
qualify as a lawyer and it can be difficult
forfeiting an existing career to start again on
the first rung of the employment ladder. These
factors seem more real when friends entering
other professions get promoted before you
have sat your first law exam! However, I feel
that my life experience has been useful when
advising on practical issues and hope this
will continue throughout my career at Bird
& Bird. I have no regrets about my decision.
To be practising law in the City of London
is immensely fulfilling and as exciting as
heading out on a foot patrol in Basra city!
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