12/06/2024
Meet trainee solicitor Alice Howells, who has worked in Russell & Russell’s family law department for the past year.
Here, Alice tells us what inspired her to pursue a career in the law and how a chance encounter during work experience convinced her to specialise in care work.
What is your job title and experience?
I am a trainee solicitor. I completed my undergrad in Nottingham and completed my LPC LLM at the University of Law in Manchester, graduating in 2022. I worked as a manager of a bar in the city centre before starting at Russell & Russell in April 2023.
I was given my training contact here in March 2024.
What areas of law do you specialise in?
I specialise in Family Law – Care Work.
Why did you decide to work in the legal industry?
I decided to work in the legal industry as I wanted to find a job that would allow me to help other people and that would also challenge me academically.
I knew I wanted to be a lawyer when I was 16 years old and over the next few years decided I wanted to specialise in family care law.
I spent a week completing work experience at Nottingham Council, during which time I met a care solicitor. I asked him if he would still pursue the same career if he had his time again. He said he would, because every day he gets to help some of the most vulnerable people in society and gives children a voice and protection when otherwise they might not get that.
This stuck with me and inspired me to be a care solicitor ever since.
How long have you been at Russell & Russell?
Just over a year.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy the community care work and like the mutual respect solicitors and other professionals have for each another. I enjoy learning and I feel I can learn more in an environment where everyone is mutually supportive.
What do you find most challenging about your job?
Sometimes I find the fast pace challenging. On one hand, it is one of the reasons I love the job, but on the other, it can be the most challenging part.
What are the most common sorts of cases you deal with?
Children in care proceedings.
Do you want to specialise in any particular area of family law?
I want to specialise in care, specifically guardian and social work
What are your ambitions for the future?
I would like to become a senior solicitor. Ideally, I would like to know everything, but as this is rather unrealistic, I would like to be a senior solicitor!
What new law would you introduce if you could?
I would introduce a law that would allow all schoolchildren to have free school meals.
What skills do you need to be a successful lawyer?
You need patience.
What advice would you give someone who wants to become a solicitor or work in the legal industry?
Complete as much work experience in as many firms as you can. Work out what area of law interests you and make sure that the firms you apply to work at have senior solicitors in that particular field.
Family Lawyers North West
If you have a family law issue and need advice from a specialist family law solicitor, please contact Russell & Russell.
Our experienced lawyers can advise on various family law issues, including prenuptial agreements, divorce, domestic abuse and social services involvement.
To speak to one of our family law team, call 0800 103 2600 or fill in our online contact form.
Please note that this article is meant as general guidance and not intended as legal or professional advice. Updates to the law may have changed since this article was published.