BCL’s In-House managing director Mark Levine speaks to Lauren Yates about her role as a legal apprentice at QBS Software.
Mark Levine: When did you decide you wanted to be a lawyer?
Lauren Yates: I have always wanted to be a solicitor but, until joining QBS, I didn’t believe that little ol’ me from Blackburn had what it took to become one. I had severe imposter syndrome and was scared that I wouldn’t fit into the profession or be good enough for the role.
Despite excelling in my studies, I was rejected from numerous internships, vacation schemes and training contract applications, with the fear of my accent or background being a contributing factor.
Here I can 100 per cent be myself and I can finally say that I feel ready to qualify as a solicitor.
However, QBS encourages you to embrace our differences and be proud of who you are and where you have come from. Here I can 100 per cent be myself and I can finally say that I feel ready to qualify as a solicitor and am excited for it.
ML: Was qualifying in-house, via SQE your first choice?
LY: No, unfortunately the SQE didn’t exist when I graduated. Instead, I was concentrating on the only option university prepared us for – working to save up for the LPC and applying for many training contracts along the way.
However, the traditional training contract route didn’t really fit my interests at the time. I was enjoying working at Studio Retail Limited in their financial services team, learning about the compliance surrounding consumer credit, so I was thrilled when an opportunity to work in the in-house legal team came about.
ML: How did you learn about the SQE route?
LY: I worked at Studio whilst studying for my law degree. Although I gained many transferrable skills, I had no legal experience at the time which made vacation scheme applications very difficult.
I took the plunge and emailed Studio’s legal team to introduce myself and see if there was scope for some work experience. Shortly after, I joined the team as a paralegal and became Studio’s first solicitor apprentice!
ML: How did you get the opportunity to work in your current organisation?
LY: Unfortunately, Studio went into administration and was later acquired, which impacted my apprenticeship and I had to re-start the programme elsewhere. However, I am now working at QBS Software Limited and am fortunate enough to work with Steve Turner, chief legal officer for the QBS Group, who took me under his wing halfway through my apprenticeship.
It has been the perfect balance of getting to grips with the process-driven tasks in legal but also being pushed out of my comfort zone.
Not only is he a role model in the profession and a great lawyer to learn from, but Steve is also an incredible mentor and I am forever grateful for his patience, support and guidance over the past couple of years.
ML: Can you tell us about your training experience?
LY: I couldn’t have had a better training experience at QBS. We were a team of two in legal up until recently, and so I have had the opportunity to work closely with Steve on a variety of matters across legal and compliance, including: M&A, commercial contracts, IP and data protection.
It has been the perfect balance of getting to grips with the process-driven tasks in legal but also being pushed out of my comfort zone and, with Steves supervision, I am now on the frontline for all contracts within the QBS Group spanning the UK, EU and META region.
ML: The SQE exams are notoriously hard. How did you get through it whilst working full time?
LY: As much as I advocate for apprenticeships, it doesn’t come easy. Working and studying is extremely difficult, and time management is essential. Keeping organised and having a study plan (and sticking to it!) is key. The content is heavy, and the expectations are high for this exam, but to current and future SQE apprentices: it is completely doable, and the practical experience you receive along the way makes it all worth it, keep going!
Keeping organised and having a study plan (and sticking to it!) is key.
ML: What tips do you have for aspiring lawyers that might want to follow in your footsteps?
LY: Be curious, get stuck in, try new things and make friends along the way. One thing about in-house is you tend to be working in much smaller teams (which, of course, is incredible exposure) so you are often the only trainee, and not part of a larger cohort as in private practice.
I would therefore encourage attending as many work, university and trainee events as you can. I have met some great people from these events, which comes in handy when you need to keep each other sane in exam season!
ML: Is there anything else you think the legal profession needs to consider to “open the doors” even more?
LY: Be open and transparent about how people can enter the profession. There isn’t just one route anymore.
I would urge universities, training providers and the profession generally to educate our future generations (and potential employers) on how to become a lawyer. The SQE’s purpose is to increase accessibility, but if people don’t know their options, it is difficult to achieve that purpose.
ML: What are your aspirations for the next few years?
LY: All being well with the SQE 2 exams I will be qualified next year! It has been a real privilege to spend such a crucial time in my career at QBS, learning to be the best lawyer I can be whilst QBS grows too.
We are a fast-growing group with ambitions to grow from our current $600m turnover to $1bn by 2030 so I am looking forward to the next few years of challenges and opportunities.
I am particularly looking forward to supporting our new paralegal through the SQE apprenticeship next year. It will be a huge step up for me undertaking more of a supervisory role but one I think I will very much enjoy.
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