Making QWE work for you: trainees and junior lawyers tell their stories

Wednesday 25 October, 4pm to 6pm, taking place virtually, with speakers from Accutrainee, Flex Legal, Howell Jones, The Law Corner, Vinson & Elkins and BARBRI


The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) provides aspiring solicitors with greater flexibility when it comes to acquiring their two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE).

The new regime enables those seeking to enter the profession to independently bank periods of QWE with up to four organisations. This can include paralegal work or time spent with an in-house legal team, as well as other placements undertaken before, during and after the SQE exams, diversifying the pathways to qualify as a solicitor.

This is in addition to the more formalised routes into the profession including training contracts and apprenticeships, which remain attractive options for would-be solicitors.

Join us on the afternoon of Wednesday 25 October, from 4pm to 6pm, for a virtual student event where a panel of trainees and junior lawyers will reflect on their diverse journeys to qualification through the SQE.

Date: Wednesday 25 October 2023
Time: 4pm to 6pm
Location: Virtual event
Level: Students, Graduates

Joining the panel will be a careers expert from BARBRI who will look at what qualifies as QWE and what doesn’t, the various ways to acquire it, and how aspiring lawyers can take advantage of the new system.

The speakers

Pedro Leake-Bandeira, BARBRI SQE student and trainee solicitor at Accutrainee
Paulomi Thakker, BARBRI SQE student and FlexTrainee at Flex Legal
Seema Gill, BARBRI SQE alumnus and qualified solicitor at Howell Jones Solicitors
Damon Neale, BARBRI SQE student and coordinator at The Law Corner, a pro bono clinic in London
Ellen Swarbrick, BARBRI SQE student and trainee solicitor at Vinson & Elkins
Robert Dudley, head of employability and engagement at BARBRI

After the panel discussion BARBRI’s SQE team will be on hand for one hour of virtual networking.

Apply now. You’ll be asked to submit two questions for the speakers.