My experience of studying law as a mature student and then seeking a training contract at age 48 almost exactly mirrors that of Hilary Kingsley (see [2007] Gazette, 25 October, 22).


I naively imagined that commercial firms of solicitors would value my 17 successful years of experience in another client advisory business (strategy consultancy). I also assumed they would be reassured as to the vitality of my remaining brain cells by the fact that I had recently added an excellent law degree from a prestigious university to my other two academic degrees (in English and business). And I thought that doing so while also looking after two young children was convincing evidence of my continuing high-energy levels, not to mention organisation and self-discipline.



One firm asked me at interview how I would feel if asked to make the coffee for a meeting, and what I would do if I had to work with a supervisor who I thought was not as clever as me. Another firm failed to offer me, alone among 11 others, a training contract after having given me excellent feedback on my performance in its summer programme. The reason given was that I 'did not get along well with others at all levels'. Since I was nicer to the secretaries than any of the 22-year-olds on the programme, I can only conclude it was the senior solicitors and partners I made uncomfortable.



These comments suggest an alternative explanation for the reluctance to 'take a chance' on mature trainees. Could it be the partners are afraid we might show them up?



Luckily for me, not everyone is so insecure and short-sighted. I am now six weeks away from qualification in the Government Legal Service, whose trainee recruitment process was impressively objective.



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