BCL’s In-House Managing Director Mark Levine speaks to Jessica Kilic, solicitor at Alfred H Knight, a provider of independent analysis and inspection services to the commodities industry, about qualifying in-house.

Mark Levine: When did you decide you wanted to be a lawyer?

Jessica Kilic: I knew from a young age I wanted to be a lawyer. A point that particularly sticks out was studying To Kill a Mockingbird in high school and I wanted to be like Atticus!

ML: Was qualifying in-house, via SQE your first choice?

JK: Qualifying in-house wasn’t something I had thought of before leaving university, simply because I hadn’t really heard much about it, and at that time the SQE hadn’t yet been introduced. My first graduate job was in-house and I really enjoyed it, I tried private practice for a year but ultimately found I preferred in house and the SQE route just made sense for me at the time because I had already completed the LPC and had a good few years’ experience.

ML: How did you learn about the SQE route?

JK: I initially heard of the SQE whilst completing the LPC but it was actually Craig Wilson at BCL Legal who talked me through its advantages before I started my current position.

I tried private practice for a year but ultimately found I preferred in house and the SQE route just made sense for me

ML: How did you get the opportunity to work in your current organisation/ enabling you to start the SQE process?

JK: I got my current position after being contacted by Craig. My employer was on board from the start with supporting me through the SQE.

ML: Can you tell us about your training experience?

JK: I didn’t do a training contract so my training has been less formal and just part of my day-to-day work. It’s been largely focused on commercial contracts but also on projects with other departments within the business, such as HR and IT.

ML: How does it differ from training in private practice?

JK: In terms of the training differences between in house and private practice, from my experience I have been a lot more independent working in-house. This may just be different managerial styles but I find I’m pushed to give something a go first before asking for help – it’s something that has increased my confidence a lot and means I have more contact with different areas of the business

I did all the mocks available through ULAW, flash cards for the legal knowledge and even roped in family members to roleplay interviews with me!

ML: The exams are notoriously hard. How did you get through it?

JK: Honestly I wasn’t sure I had got through the exams, I made quite drastic mistakes in the law for both interviews but the skills marks lifted my overall mark. I previously did the LPC so I used the syllabus on the SRA website as a guide and went through making notes on every topic.

I did the ULAW prep course and found their manuals really helpful for filling in the gaps in my knowledge. I did all the mocks available through ULAW, flash cards for the legal knowledge and even roped in family members to roleplay interviews with me!

ML: What tips do you have for aspiring lawyers that might want to follow in your footsteps?

JK: My tips would be to take your time and avoid comparisons, I definitely struggled with seeing people I started out with qualifying when I was nowhere near that point, and it can be really demotivating. I would say to focus on your own journey and not be too hard on yourself are my main tips.

ML: Is there anything else you think the legal profession needs to consider to “open the doors” even more?

JK: I would say the SQE has a lot of points for improvement that would open the doors to the profession a lot more – the fees are likely a significant hurdle for many candidates. I was lucky my employer covered this for me but others may not be so fotunate.

ML: What are your aspirations for the next few years?

JK: Over the next few years I’m looking forward to continuing to learn more and developing in my current role.

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Alfred H Knight

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