The University of Westminster’s Law School recently hosted its annual Legal Careers Fair, bringing together students, alumni, employers and industry experts for a full day of talks, workshops and networking.
Held on 11 March at the Little Titchfield Street site, the fair began with a keynote address from Jeanette Nicholas, Associate Head of College (External Relations). Drawing on her extensive experience working with law firms, employers and industry partners, she explored how students can approach career and motivation questions, articulate their skills with confidence and position themselves effectively for a wide range of graduate opportunities.
The day featured a variety of sessions designed to support students at every stage of their career planning. Workshops included CV, cover letter and application guidance, an Assessment Centre masterclass as well as sessions on navigating the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) - a mandatory exam to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. This was delivered in collaboration with leading course providers like BARBRI, BPP and the University of Law, alongside alumni currently undertaking SQE training.
Students also attended specialist panels on corporate and commercial Law, women in Law, in‑house lawyers and paralegals, artificial intelligence (AI), technology in the legal sector and routes to the Bar. Speakers included alumni, barristers, solicitors, diplomats, risk analysts and professionals from HM Revenue and Customs, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence.
The afternoon concluded with two alumni-led sessions of a typical day-in-the-life of a solicitor and barrister, offering practical insight into qualification pathways, Bar training, training contracts and day‑to‑day legal practice.
The day closed with an informal networking reception with drinks and refreshments, giving students the chance to connect with alumni from a range of legal and non‑legal fields.
Jeanette Nicholas said: “I was delighted to be invited to address students at the Law Careers Fair. I was asked to speak about the realities of the modern graduate application process, the emerging role of AI and automation and how to stand out in a recruitment world that looks very different from the one I entered as a Law graduate. I hope I encouraged students to realise that, despite all the technology, authenticity remains the most powerful asset any student has to master the application process.”
Dr Marloes Spreeuw, Principal Lecturer at Westminster Law School, added: “It was incredibly rewarding to see the second Westminster Law School Careers Fair be such a success. We expanded the programme to include more panel sessions, from Law and technology to corporate Law, alongside workshops for aspiring barristers and solicitors and sessions for those exploring alternative career paths. It was also fantastic to see so many students, recruiters, alumni and professionals come together, with overwhelmingly positive feedback reflecting the impact of the event. The increased participation, diverse range of sessions and the number of students connecting with professionals made it a real success.”
Sophie Bago, second-year Law LLB Honours student who attended, added: “As a Law student, it was incredibly inspiring to hear first-hand experiences from legal professionals and gain valuable insight into the realities of the legal field.”
Another student Katie Clark added: “The careers fair was extremely insightful, fun and engaging. As a Law student, it is very important to gain both experience and connections within the legal industry, as the field is highly competitive. This event was a great way for me to learn about the options available to me after I complete my Law degree. I also had the opportunity to meet a barrister, who told me what her job looks like on a day-to-day basis; this was one of the great people I've been lucky to meet!”
The event directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education, 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about Law courses at the University of Westminster.
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