Leeds Law School Student Achievement Prize-giving

The event was held on campus immediately after the 2019 graduation ceremony at Leeds First Direct Arena, in a truly fitting way to complete university life for these students.

David Cowgill, President of Leeds Law Society from June 2018 - May 2019 and Partner at Schofield Sweeney, opened the event.  David said: "It was an absolute privilege to speak at the prizegiving. The students were all worthy winners and it was fantastic that the Law School took the time to reward special achievements. It was a great day and a fantastic advert for the academic talent we are producing here in Leeds. Whether the prize winners pursue a career in the law or not, as a representative of the local law society it is fantastic to see the enthusiasm in the room for the law. Long may the Law School continue to produce the talent that is able to take the profession forward, especially here in Leeds."

Our employer partners very kindly offered periods of work experience as prizes which provide graduates with opportunities to gain valuable experience in the legal sector over the summer, enhancing their employment prospects and bridging the transition from university to graduate employment.

The prizegiving is just one of many ways Leeds Law School engages with the legal community and over the coming academic year there are several events and projects planned with employers.

Yasmin Walker was presented with the prize for Child Law by Hannah Ross, Leeds Becket University alumna and now solicitor at Stowe Family Law who sponsored this achievement prize. Stowe Family Law are excited to announce their strategic partnership with Leeds Beckett, geared towards helping students via sponsorship, work experience, workshops and mentoring.

Yasmin, who developed a passion for this subject from her first lecture will be starting her LPC in September and undertaking a period of work experience at Stowe Family Law over the summer as a reward for winning the prize.

Hannah commented: “I studied at Leeds Beckett University from 2008 to 2011 and know the hard work and dedication that all of the students put into their degrees. It is lovely to have the opportunity to return and give something back through sponsoring the Child Law module, welcoming its highest achiever Yasmin Walker, to our Leeds office not to mention future projects with the University.”

In early November 2019 as part of Enrichment Week, Stowe Family Law will be running a workshop for students on technology in a family law practice, and how it improves the quality and efficiency of service. The UK family legal sector has warmed to the digital world in recent years, as can be seen when comparing family law firm websites today, to what they looked like five years ago. Practice management software too plays a big part in the sector these days, bringing operational systems across all business areas into one package, which increases efficiency across business departments, data quality and the ability to understand clients. Exposing students to these developments in technology and practice aims to give them a clearer understanding of a modern law firm and the skills required to be a successful lawyer.

Stowe Family Law will also be joining several other firms at the Law Enrichment Week Speed Networking event, which gives students a chance to develop their professional networks through speaking with members of the legal industry about their roles, routes to qualification and opportunities at their organisations.

The firm is also providing further work experience opportunities to students who have shown a keen interest in family law and will join Leeds Law School’s Professional Mentor Scheme. Mentoring can be of particular benefit to students who want to find out more about other people’s experiences and key learnings from their careers. The scheme has ensured strong links with firms over the years and many of our prize sponsors are also longstanding mentors to our students.

As a result of the prizegiving, students have been able to gain deserved recognition and valuable experience for their achievements while employers and Leeds Law School have developed further partnerships, providing opportunities for future groups of students enhancing the talent that feeds in to the legal sector in Leeds.