Our action and commitment to tackling inequality in accessing the legal profession have put us at the top of the UK’s Social Mobility Employer Index for two consecutive years. Kiera Riddy, an associate from our barrister’s team in Exeter, talks about the many obstacles she overcame to achieve her career goals, and why social mobility matters so much.
When she was just 15, a former family friend told Kiera Riddy she "didn't run in the right circles" to make it as a barrister, but she remained undeterred.
Detractors were just one of a variety of obstacles she faced in breaking into a profession still often misconceived as the realm of the middle-aged white male.
Kiera's state school education - not the 'traditional' barrister background – offered scarce insight or encouragement around legal careers. Studying in her home county of Cornwall brought challenges, including a four-hour daily bus trip to the only college offering A-level law. And when Kiera set out her barrister aspirations to teachers, they told her it wasn't the done thing:
"They'd say, 'we don't really know how you'd go about that' and that was it,” she explained.
Finances posed the most significant barrier. Kiera grew up in a single-parent, low-income household and supported her A-levels, law degree, and Bar course through part-time work before eventually winning a scholarship. Pursuing the barrister route also brought additional costs, a more expensive course, memberships, clothes for court and costly textbooks.
And as the first in her family to go to university, though she had full emotional backing from her mum, Kiera had no legal connections to call upon to try and secure the all-important work experience. And no one to guide her through what to expect when taking the bar.
“When I was on the Bar course, it was very much assumed that I was a trust fund child with my mum and dad paying for the course and for me to live in a nice flat. But, I was working almost 30 hours a week alongside my studies and trying to stay afloat.”
Giving up was never an option. Instead, Kiera was relentless in chasing the goal she'd held since around the age of eleven, borne out of a personal experience of the positive impact the legal system can have.
"I'm like a dog with a bone," Kiera explained. “I knew I wanted to do it, and there would be no stopping me.”
And she meant it. With little career advice from school or college, online research helped her map out a route to the Bar, and a tenacious attitude took her there. The breakthrough came when Kiera secured a spot on the Pathways to Law programme with the University of Exeter during her A-Levels. This opened the door to work experience, Inns of Court visits, new connections, and a mini-pupillage. She returned to the programme as an undergraduate, continuing to build her networks.
It's the kind of foot on the ladder also offered by Browne Jacobson's award-winning FAIRE (Fairer Access Into Real Experience) initiative – which offers paid work experience alongside virtual careers events, connecting students and would-be lawyers with an important inroad into the legal world. FAIRE’s a big part of the firm’s social mobility commitment along with a host of other initiatives designed to make the legal sector more inclusive, accessible to all, and reflective of the society it serves.
It’s something Kiera wishes had been around when she was studying.
“If I’d had a paid placement, that would have ticked off so many different elements. Not having to stress about the financial side of things. It’s an incredible thing to offer, and it’s why employers’ commitment to social mobility is so important.”
After two years as a paralegal, Kiera joined Browne Jacobson in 2021 and completed her pupillage. She’s now a fully qualified associate barrister in the firm’s Exeter office.
Tom Lyas, the architect of Browne Jacobson’s FAIRE scheme, understands the powerful effect of Kiera’s candid story:
“The challenges Kiera encountered will undoubtedly resonate with many others, but her success should also inspire them. The impact of openly sharing the career journeys (good and bad) of those who have tangibly demonstrated that a legal career is an achievable aspiration for anyone, regardless of background, can’t be understated. Our firm continues to make a real difference to the career prospects of individuals like Kiera, and we’re not stopping anytime soon!”
Knowing only too well how it feels to compete with those who haven’t faced the same socio-economic hurdles, Kiera’s keen to give back and help others from similar backgrounds. It’s one of the reasons she shared her story with students at Browne Jacobson’s recent FAIRE virtual careers event, and volunteers on her former Pathways to Law course.
“The fact that the firm is committed to social mobility is incredible because lots say they are, and then you don't get anything out of it. You don't see where it's going, and that's why it's so important for me to put back.”
“To anyone thinking of a career in law but concerned they don’t come from the right background, it is possible with hard work and determination to get to exactly where you want. If I can do it so can anyone!”
You may be interested in...
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Becoming O Shaped: Championing positive change
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson first law firm to join Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Placing inclusion at the heart of strategy: an interview with Caroline Green, Senior Partner
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Breaking through barriers to reach the bar
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
Hints and tips to help you apply for a Solicitor Apprenticeship
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
A day in the life of our Solicitor Apprentice Laura Morland
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Putting values into action: creating an ethical supply chain
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
Why consider an apprenticeship over going to university?
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson health lawyer wins major accolade at Made in Manchester Awards
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
From the lab to the law: Natasha’s journey to becoming a future lawyer with Browne Jacobson
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Driving positive change through investment: a corporate associate advising in the energy sector
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
From associate to partner in an investment lifecycle - Ryan's story
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson maintains top spot in Social Mobility Employer Index 2022
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson appointed to first Social Mobility Commission Employer Advisory Group
Browne Jacobson can announce that the firm has been chosen as one of 13 UK businesses who will form the Social Mobility Commission’s (SMC) new Employer Advisory Group. The Employer Advisory Group has been put in place to drive social mobility in the workplace in the UK and support the Commission’s employer focused programme of work.Press Release - Careers
Law firm wins Franco-British Business Award for Diversity and Inclusion
UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson has won the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 23rd Franco-British Business Awards 2022.
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Browne Jacobson helps the Civil Aviation Authority take off with its modernisation masterplan
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson partners with Forage to launch virtual work experience to improve diversity and inclusion in legal sector
Browne Jacobson has partnered with Forage, one of the world’s leading work experience platforms, to launch an interactive virtual work experience programme to open up access for aspiring young lawyers and improve diversity in the legal profession.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson barrister wins Manchester Young Talent Award
Holly Quirk, an associate barrister in Browne Jacobson’s Manchester office, was awarded the Legal Professional of the Year Award at this year’s Manchester Young Talent Awards.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson named as one of the UK’s best law firms by The Times
Browne Jacobson has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading law firms with its ranking in The Times “Best Law Firms 2023”. This is the fifth year that Browne Jacobson has been ranked.
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
From trainee to managing partner – an interview with Richard Medd
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Raising the Bar with Browne Jacobson
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Introducing our new Birmingham home - living and breathing our values through our office space
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Browne Jacobson helps Clean Power Hydrogen plc
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Courageous conversations: turning words into action
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson double deal success at Insider Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2022
Browne Jacobson’s corporate finance lawyers are celebrating after two of its deals won major awards at the Insider Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2022.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson implements latest Real Living Wage rates with immediate effect to offset cost of living crisis
Law firm Browne Jacobson has confirmed its commitment as a Real Living Wage employer by implementing the Living Wage Foundation’s newly announced rates with immediate effect to help offset the cost of living crisis for low paid workers.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson announces 10 to its 2022 trainee solicitor scheme
Browne Jacobson has welcomed 10 future lawyers to its trainee scheme for 2022 – 2024 as it continues to grow its business. The new recruits have joined 36 trainees currently at the firm, bringing the total number of trainee solicitors at Browne Jacobson to 46 – a record number for the firm.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson strengthens its UK&I commercial practice with hire of new retail & consumer specialist partner
Browne Jacobson has bolstered its commercial practice in the UK with the appointment of commercial contracts and international trade specialist, Emma Roake, into its City-based London team.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson's private client team top Chambers High Net Worth Guide rankings again
Browne Jacobson’s private client practice has been ranked as Band One in the 2022 Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide for its work in private wealth law.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson lawyer wins inspiring Birmingham Black Lawyer Excellence Award
Bridget Tatham, a specialist defendant insurance lawyer at Browne Jacobson has been honoured at this year’s Birmingham Black Lawyer (BBL) Excellence Awards, having been named Lawyer of the Year. Bridget was also shortlisted for BBL’s Diversity Champion 2022.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson opens first overseas office with Dublin launch
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson hires seven to bolster Manchester professional indemnity practice
Browne Jacobson has expanded its Manchester professional indemnity practice by recruiting a seven person team led by Jason Nash and supported by partner Michael Appleby. Jason joined Browne Jacobson last month ahead of the other members of the team.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson announces financial results with 11% growth in revenues
Browne Jacobson has announced its financial results for 2021-22 with revenues up 11 per cent year-on-year to £94m, up from £85m. It marks the 13th consecutive year of growth with a 59 per cent increase in revenues since 2015 (£59m).
Press Release - Careers
Trainees’ vs Partners: Law firm goes green for charity cycle challenge
Today, (Thursday 16 June) 18 trainee lawyers from Browne Jacobson began the second of three planned “going green” fundraising challenges which focus on driving positive change to the environment and will raise essential funds for the firm’s charity partners.
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
Training diary – Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
On Saturday 14th May, 17 Browne Jacobson trainees walked 24 miles around the three highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales to raise money for our five office charities.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson’s two ‘rising stars’ announced winners at the WeAreTheCity Awards 2022
A lawyer and a HR business partner from law firm Browne Jacobson have been announced as winners of the WeAreTheCity’s Rising Stars Awards 2022.
Press Release - Careers
Law firm drives on with carbon neutrality commitments with launch of employee electrical vehicle scheme
National law firm Browne Jacobson has launched an electric vehicle (EV) scheme as part of its employee benefits package. The benefit will be available to all of the firm’s employees across its five offices, including Birmingham, Exeter, London, Manchester, and Nottingham.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson trainees going green for charity fundraisers
Browne Jacobson’s trainee lawyers are gearing up for the first of three outdoor fundraising challenges that will begin this weekend (Saturday 14 May), with the aim of driving positive change to the environment and raising funds for the firm’s charity partners.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson becomes first law firm to join O Shaped’s movement to better the legal profession
National law firm Browne Jacobson has become an official partner to O Shaped, an innovative movement with a mission to drive positive change within the legal sector.Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson promotes 31 lawyers in latest promotion round
National law firm Browne Jacobson has announced it has promoted 31 lawyers across the business, including six new partners, two legal directors and 23 Senior Associates, a record number for the firm.