Irwin Mitchell

Why Irwin Mitchell

Gained a year of QWE at soton.

Partnered for inquest clinic.

Popcorn and pimms networking event.

Spoke very passionately of claimant work.

Graduated and got place at HJA.

Solidified PI and claimant work in a more practical way.

Now looking to progress in my legal career with irwin mitchell where i got my first taste.

How would you handle a situation where you strongly disagree with a group decision?

Soton - clinic party

explained why not a good idea

Said i liked the concept and suggested alternatives.

Important to say you disagree but also important to keep it constructive so that it can move forward.

How would you build and maintain a strong professional network at the firm?

At HJA - volunteering, events, bartending.

Allows you to meet range of contacts that’s always helpful to have different contacts in different departments.

Otherwise just saying good morning to people or chatting at the coffee type of thing.

Always good to have contacts in different depts.

How would you handle a difficult client?

I’ve found that a lot of the time when someone is being difficult it’s out of frustration and feeling that they haven’t been heard.

At HJA we answered the PI line.

Would answer ask for details etc so that we’re on the right file.

Help them out as much as i can. Checking if we have received something etc.

Listen to what the problem is. Make them feel heard and understood. Be clear in any explanations and reassure.

Follow up - make sure that someone gets back to them

Tell us about yourself

Graduated from Southampton in July.

Heavily involved with the creation of the GLC - obtaining 1 year QWE during my undergrad.

Been working at HJA since June

Initially had an interest in Clin neg but have since really enjoyed PI.

Looking to progress my career with the ultimate goal being to qualify as a solicitor - ideally with IM

Why leave HJA?

Really enjoyed HJA and learnt a lot in a short space of time.

From uni to HJA link.

It’s also helped identify that I want to continue in PI.

Have become increasingly interested in serious injury work, particularly complexity of the cases.

I’ve been signed up to the mailing list since uni and when i spotted it I had to apply.

I’m ambitious with my career and would like to challenge myself further. I see this position as a great opportunity to achieve this.

Why do you think you’re ready for the paralegal role?

Although my current title is legal assistant, a lot of the work that i already do is at a paralegal level.

I draft letters of instruction, witness statements, client interviews etc.

I’m aware that there will be more for me to learn but I am keen to take on that challenge.

Paralegal has more autonomy and takes more steps to actually progress the case.

What are your weaknesses?

The biggest thing I’ve been working on is my reluctance to ask for help. With a lot of my roles at university, I learnt to be quite independent and self sufficient. Now in the workplace I’ve realised that it can be more important to make sure that I’m working efficiently than spending too long trying to figure something out by myself.

What would you say would be your biggest strength?

Initiative and ownership.

Tend to look beyond the task in front of me and instead look at the overall outcome for the client etc. I’m naturally curious and so enjoy finding ways to improve things.

Allowed my to progress so quickly at the clinic - looking beyond what i;ve been told.

I believe that this also makes me successful at HJA. If I’m asked to do one task I usually check to see if there’s anything else I could be looking for,

Why is rehabilitation important?

Tell us about a time you made a mistake

Tell us about a time you worked as part of a team

Why should we hire you?

Can you tell me about any recent updates in serious injury work?

How would you establish a rapport with the client over a meeting?

Tell us about a time where you went over and beyond for a client

Why not apply straight for the training contract?

Questions that you want to ask them

What would success look like in 6 months time?

Is there anything significant that the SI team is currently working on?

What do you think the role of a paralegal in a serious injury team involves?

Working

Tell us about a time where you have been pioneering

How would you ensure approachability when working with clients?

Tell us about a time you have been efficient?

Tell us about a time you have shown integrity