Olivia Cameron joined the Shentons’ Family Team as a secretary in 2021, she became a Paralegal in 2022 and we are delighted that she has accepted the role as Trainee Solicitor! She is a fantastic asset to the team and we are so proud of how much she has grown in skill and confidence since she started working with us.

Why did you decide to become a Solicitor?

When I was at college I chose to take Law A-Level on a whim, intending to drop it at the end of AS Level. I was surprised to find myself fascinated by the subject; learning the abstract nature of the law and how it applies to real life cases was extremely interesting to me. From this point I was on the path to becoming a lawyer, I sought out independent work experience while I was at college and again when I attended Winchester University where I went on to complete my Law Degree.

I joined Shentons’ Family Team as a Legal Secretary in August of 2021. I was promoted to Paralegal in June of 2022 and I have just started my Training Contract in March of 2023.

What are you most proud of in your legal career so far?

Whilst my legal career so far has been short, the most positive part of it has been the incredible team that I have joined. I made it clear from the outset that my goal was to become a Solicitor and from the moment that I arrived, my progression from Legal Secretary to Trainee Solicitor has been supported by the firm. I have benefited from the guidance and continued support of the more senior lawyers in my department and look forward to learning from them during my training contract and beyond.

What has been the hardest part of your career?

It was a really hard realisation to come to terms with the fact that once a case gets to court the final decision is out of our hands. We can work closely with our clients to get their cases across and their voices heard but once their cases are in front of the Judge, it is entirely their decision to make.

Why did you decide to practise Family Law?

From the outset of my interest in law I knew that I wanted to work with vulnerable clients. When I did work experience during my studies, I assisted the clinical negligence departments in the firms I worked with. When I saw the opportunity to work at Shentons in their family department, their focus on legal aid and working with vulnerable clients appealed to me. Seeing how the work we do for our clients can improve their lives, is extremely rewarding.