Joely Walker
Brewer, Harding & Rowe are extremely proud to present a series of articles written by 8 of our current staff which show the different routes into qualification as a fee earner within our firm.
Some of the articles explain that law was their first choice of career. For others, it was not the obvious choice, but one that was achieved regardless.
We are able to support those with a keen attitude to learn and progress within their careers at the firm. You shall read that of the 8 staff, 3 are now qualified solicitors, 1 a licensed conveyancer, 1 a CILEx and 2 are trainee solicitors, all of which we have trained and supported within the firm. All of these 8 individuals remain supported by us as their careers progress and successful careers are forecast.
Route to qualification
From a young age, I developed a strong interest in law and became curious about how the criminal justice system operates in the United Kingdom. This early fascination led me to study A level Law, which not only met my expectations but confirmed that a career in law was right for me, laying the foundations for my future in the profession.
I elected to study Law with Business at the University of Plymouth in order to keep my future career options as broad as possible. My experience at university was varied, with my final year undertaken during the Covid-19 pandemic, yet I was proud to graduate with First Class Honours. Graduating during the pandemic presented significant challenges and left me at a crossroads regarding my next steps. I decided to continue studying and undertook a Criminology Masters degree.
Following the completion of my Masters degree, an opportunity arose at Brewer Harding & Rowe and after a successful interview, I was appointed as a Graduate Paralegal within the Private Client department in Barnstaple. This role proved to be an invaluable introduction to full-time professional practice, providing me with first-hand legal experience in a fast-paced environment. Within a few weeks of joining the department, I was confident that I wished to continue my studies and qualify as a Solicitor. The firm were supportive in assisting me with the next steps of my career and in January 2023 I commenced my LLM in Legal Practice with the College of Legal Practice. At that time, the Solicitors Regulation Authority had introduced a new route to qualification, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (‘SQE’), which I found to be an appealing pathway.
The SQE examinations proved to be extremely challenging and demanding, both academically and personally. The breadth and depth of knowledge required, combined with the intensity of the assessment process, made the preparation period particularly stressful. Balancing revision with professional and personal commitments required significant discipline and resilience. Despite the pressure, the experience strengthened my determination, adaptability, and ability to perform under stress, ultimately contributing to my professional development and readiness for practice.
While completing my SQE examinations, I was working as a Trainee Solicitor, completing my qualifying work experience with the firm. I undertook seats in Private Client, Family, Conveyancing and Civil Litigation, which allowed me to gain broad exposure to a range of practice areas, develop a diverse skill set and better understand the practical application of the law in a client-focused environment.
On the 14th March 2025, I qualified as a Solicitor and was admitted to the roll of Solicitors in England and Wales. Qualifying as a Solicitor felt like a huge personal achievement and a key life goal fulfilled. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and excited to continue growing, learning, and supporting others as part of my career.