A day in the life of an immigration trainee solicitor
Read about this trainee's route into immigration law
Hi. Please tell us what your role is and who you work for.
I am a Trainee Solicitor at Laura Devine Immigration.
What does your law firm do?
We have lawyers based in London and New York. We are recognised as a leader in the field of UK immigration by top legal directories, we provide businesses and individuals with tailored assistance across all areas of UK immigration. Our US team advises on all categories of US immigration and nationality law.
What attracted you to a career in law generally and to your particular area of law specifically?
I was attracted to a career in law as it offers a unique platform to solve complex problems, advocate for fairness and make meaningful change. I have always had a passion for immigration law, particularly as an immigrant myself and was drawn to practice in this area because of its potential to create meaningful change. Immigration law in particular intersects between justice, human rights and personal stories and the opportunity to assist individuals and families in navigating complex legal systems and achieving stability in their lives is incredibly rewarding.
What advice would you give to those wanting to gain experience in your particular area of law?
My advice to those looking to gain experience in immigration law would be to start by reaching out to law firms, legal aid organisations and charities that handle immigration cases. Volunteering with organisations that support refugees and migrants can also provide valuable exposure. Networking is key! Attending related events and networking with those in the field can also be a great way to connect with those already in the area. I volunteered with a number of organisations that support refugees and migrants throughout university and through my volunteering, I was able to connect with those working in the area of immigration law. During my final year of university, I sought an internship at Laura Devine Immigration and this was the key experience that solidified my decision to pursue a career in immigration law. Following my internship, I started in my role as a Paralegal and was subsequently promoted to Senior Paralegal before beginning my current role as a Trainee Solicitor. I am now also a member of Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA) and some great resources which I utilise are Free Movement, Chambers seminars and LexisNexis.
What attracts clients to this firm?
Laura Devine Immigration is regarded as a “stellar” immigration boutique with a powerful transatlantic capability and is ranked in the top tier for immigration across legal directories and is recognised as an “excellent”, “committed” and dedicated team noted for going above and beyond to achieve success for our clients.
Describe a ‘typical’ day at work in your area of practice
A typical day at work starts with a morning team call to catch up about cases and actions for current ongoing matters, then I normally have a few meetings with clients to discuss their cases and next steps or calls with prospective clients to discuss their eligibility. I work on a range of corporate matters as well as private matters, which provides me with a range of what I see day to day. A typical day often involves conducting research, drafting advice and legal representations and emailing with clients to provide advice on their circumstances and next stages for their cases.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
There are so many things I love about my job! I really enjoy working directly with clients to assist in their immigration journey and I particularly enjoy the diversity of cases I encounter. I really enjoy working on complex and challenging cases as it enables me to create compelling arguments when requesting the exercise of discretion from the Home Office. Working on complex cases allows me to think creatively and enables me to dig deeper into the law and policy, I find this to be the most interesting aspect of my job. The most rewarding part of my job is the positive impact my work has on peoples lives and it is incredibly rewarding to play a role in shaping someone’s future through the work we do.
What is your involvement in looking for new clients/new business?
I actively engage in networking opportunities by attending industry events, conferences, and seminars related to immigration and law. These networking opportunities often result in generating new clients for the firm. The networking events provide an opportunity to speak with those in a range of sectors which attracts new clients and business. Additionally, our excellent service to current clients often leads to word-of-mouth referrals.
How do you ensure your well-being when working in a challenging sector of the law?
There are a number of great resources for those working in immigration law such Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) Well-being Resources Hub, as well as our firm's own Mental Health and Wellbeing channel for staff which provides us with a number of resources. To relax outside of work, I enjoy exercising and playing soccer. I find being outdoors incredibly relaxing whether its going for hikes, walks or a bike ride. I also love reading, baking and speaking with my loved ones at home (in Canada!).
Tell us about the positive impact a lawyer in your area of law can make to people’s lives.
A lawyer in immigration law can have a profound impact on people’s lives by helping them navigate complex legal systems to achieve life changing outcomes. By providing legal guidance and advocacy, a lawyer can assist families and individuals in obtaining legal status, reuniting with family members or finding protection. Additionally, as a lawyer in immigration law, there is the opportunity to create future change by advocating for policy reform, as well as participating in public advocacy and engaging in legal research.