Hodge Jones & Allen talks careers in law and access to justice with A-level students

Leading civil liberties and legal aid firm Hodge Jones & Allen hosted Year 12 Students for a discussion about careers in the access-to-justice side of the legal profession earlier this month.

Solicitors, paralegals and trainees gave students insights into the realities of police station representation, court advocacy and the need to uphold the rights of often-vulnerable clients, and also described their own journeys into the legal profession. The evening was part of a week-long summer school, arranged by the UCL Access to Justice Centre to provide opportunities to 16 and 17 year olds interested in law, many of whom are the first generation of their family set to attend university.

Ed Veale, an associate in the firm’s housing team, said: ““It was fantastic to see these teenagers spending a week of their summer holiday to wrestle with the big topics of human rights and the need for legal aid – and how they may want to use their future careers to serve and represent those in need. Their questions kept us on our toes and it was an enjoyable evening for my colleagues and me to give an insight into the ups and downs of the job.”