Only a few weeks after Joshua Hayes qualified as a Solicitor at CooperBurnett LLP, we have welcomed our second student from Kent Law School (University of Kent) under its Masters of Law (M-Law) paralegal scheme.
Alessandro Lagioia – who has spent three years studying law at the University of Kent - is now working full-time at CooperBurnett for the summer, before heading back to university to continue his studies in the new academic year. Then, he will spend two days with TeamCB, two days at university and a day studying independently.
The Kent Law School M-Law paralegal scheme offers a hybrid approach to training, giving students the opportunity to gain practical insight into working in law, while accruing Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) and undertaking the necessary exams to qualify. Joshua is one of the first candidates to have benefited from the initiative and then gone on to qualify.
“MLaw offers a really unique approach,” Alessandro explains. “I’ve had a good experience at Kent so far and got to know the lecturers well, so am pleased to continue those relationships for a little longer.”
Darren Weir, Senior Lecturer at Kent Law School, says: "We are really grateful to CooperBurnett for giving Alessandro this opportunity and actively engaging with our MLaw programme at Kent Law School from the start. We know from previous students that this combination of legal experience, combined with studying, works well. It's been great to see our previous MLaw student, Joshua, qualify with CooperBurnett recently and I'm sure having him in the firm will give Alessandro encouragement through the next year and beyond."
Alessandro secured interviews with some other firms as well as CooperBurnett to gain his MLaw place, but says we stood out as being particularly friendly and welcoming.
“I had an online chat first, before coming in to meet Victoria Sampson and Clare Kelly [Practice Manager],” says Alessandro. “They were clearly interested in finding out about me as a candidate and made me feel at ease immediately, which was very comforting.”
He adds: “I looked at other options for my Masters year but this approach of accumulating QWE, while gaining real law firm experience seemed the best for me. In only a short time, I’ve learnt so much and observing fee earners discussing work and talking to clients has been invaluable. It’s about putting all that theory I’ve learnt so far into practice.”
Alessandro says he’s open minded about what area of law he will eventually work in.
“Having said that, contentious law does appeal, as I’m interested in mediation and negotiation,” he adds. “I also feel I’d be better suited to being a solicitor in the long run, rather than a barrister, as I enjoy working in a team.”
Initially, Alessandro is based in our Corporate and Commercial team with Partners Victoria Sampson and Russell Brinkhurst, where he has been allocated Associate Solicitor, Molly Mackay, as his ‘work buddy’.
“She’s been really helpful and it’s great to be able to ask all those silly questions – such as how to format an email,” he explains.
Alessandro first became interested in a career in law when he was around 15.
“My Dad owned a recruitment business and I witnessed the lifecycle of the firm from the early days to his exit,” says Alessandro. “I saw how lawyers supported him throughout this time and found it really interesting.”
Alessandro says knowing Joshua had already been through the MLaw experience and then qualified at CooperBurnett gave him peace of mind when applying to join us.
“Joshua was in the first cohort of the scheme and it’s good to have his support,” he explains. “I suspect I’ll be asking for tips when I get back to university in a few months’ time!”
When he’s not studying, Alessandro has got into distance running and took part in the Paddock Wood Half Marathon recently and has already signed up to join TeamCB for the Walk Tonbridge Marathon in September! He also plays the saxophone and is a member of the University of Kent Big Band. Then, when he’s back home in Milton Keynes, Alessandro enjoys walking the family dog.
“We are really pleased to welcome Alessandro to TeamCB,” says Victoria Sampson. “Our experience of the Kent Law School MLaw scheme with Joshua was a positive one, so we are looking forward to supporting another of the University’s students during this coming year. In only a short time, Alessandro has slotted into the Corporate and Commercial team well and feels very much part of TeamCB already.”
