Joyce Glasser’s letter about students and newly qualifieds in their late-30s or 40s and 50s, captured the situation in a nutshell (see [2009] Gazette, 19 February, 11). I am a newly qualified solicitor who was also made redundant on qualification due to organisational structure changes.

My date of birth is not on my CV but it would not take a mathematical genius to work out from my employment history that I will not see 45 again. Of those legal employment agencies that have even bothered acknowledging my CV, I am assured that my niche area of law would be an asset.

I would be more convinced by this claim if I could actually secure an interview. I worked full-time and studied part-time in my own time in order to qualify, but it is becoming clear that this obvious commitment and determination is to no avail. As Glasser points out, if partners are being forced out once a couple of creases appear around their eyes, the rest of us appear to have no chance.

Of course, potential employers have a gift of an excuse by pointing to my lack of post-qualification experience rather than admit there would be nowhere to store my incontinence pads, because obviously I would need those near me at all times.

It really is time that the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and the legal profession generally, took age discrimination seriously and thought about what older trainees and newly qualified solicitors have to offer.

Unfortunately, I do know who the current prime minister is.

Jan Godfrey, Sussex