Amanda Kelly, Trainee Conveyancer in our Residential Property team, shares her career so far, challenges she’s face and what attracted her to career in Law.

Brief introduction to your time with Ellisons

I joined Ellisons on 17 March 2014, 7 years ago now. I originally joined the Commercial Property Department and then transferred to the Residential Department a year later.

Career history

I have worked in law since leaving school at the age of 17. Having gained distinctions  and first class passes in my secretarial course, I started working for a local firm of solicitors in East London and was there for approximately 5 years. I started as an office junior (or administrative assistant as they are called now) and then started doing typing for the partner covering litigation work.

I then left there and went to work for a large corporate firm of solicitors in London. I started working for the employment lawyer until she left a year or so later.  From there I started working for the Equity Partner doing commercial litigation. The company as a whole dealt very high-profile matters so there was never a dull moment.  On occasion I was asked to host client receptions at weekends. This meant arranging my own team to work that day, arranging caterers and any projecting equipment required on the day.

I left there after 5 years and had about a year off before I returned to work at the local firm of solicitors where I originally started. There I worked in the Probate and Residential Conveying department.

I have been fortunate enough to have been offered employment by really lovely companies where I felt happy and these have always turned into long term employment.

What attracted you to a career in law?

I have always felt drawn to law. When I was doing my secretarial course, I asked  to be place with a firm of solicitors. I was supposed to be there for one week but returned the following week as it was half term and had nothing planned. As this week was not planned, I was fortunate enough to be able attend Court cases with the office clerk and see the defendants in the Court cells.  I was fascinated with the buzz of the office and how fast paced everything was.

Have you ever faced career challenges? How did you overcome these challenges?

My biggest career challenge is what I am doing now. Working full time, raising a family on my own and trying my hardest to complete my CILEx studies.  There have been set backs which have resulted in self doubt and days where I just feel pure exhausted. However being a single mum, I want to show my children that anything is possible and with the right determination and mindset you can achieve your dreams, despite the set backs.  So we continue and strive to be the best we can be.

Do you have any words of wisdom for people starting their law career?

Go for it! As I always say to my children, if it something you really want and your heart is in it, you will achieve it.

Find out more about a career at Ellisons here.