Event Details

The Speakers

Jeremy Lau (MH 14 -19) Future Trainee DLA Piper

Jeremy is a law graduate from the London School of Economics and Political Science, having left Tonbridge in 2019. He has a keen interest in the commercial world and has sought to explore different opportunities during his time at university. He recently completed an internship at an international law firm and is currently completing a Master’s degree at the University of Law before starting his training contract at DLA Piper.

 Jeremy will talk to us about course content when studying law at university and about the process of applying for traineeships and what it takes to be the successful candidate.

 Alex Dainton (PH 10-15) Trainee Solicitor, Moonbug Entertainment

After Tonbridge, Alex spent three years at the University of Bristol studying English Literature. He then attended law school for two years, completing a Graduate Diploma in Law, which was necessitated by his non-law undergraduate degree, and the Legal Practice Course. Following two successful paralegal/legal internship roles in-house at the global entertainment company Moonbug, he secured a training contract. During his training contract, Alex has done seats in Corporate M&A, Production, IP and brand protection, as well as a secondment in the Entertainment & Media Group of the US law firm Reed Smith.

 Alex will talk about his own path and the opportunities for law graduates in the commercial sector as well as in City-based law firms.

Guy Evans Senior Associate, Thomson Snell and Passmore (Tunbridge Wells)

Guy grew up in Tonbridge and studied Philosophy at the University of Southampton. After graduating, and a gap year, he undertook the Graduate Diploma in Law (a conversion course) while working as a paralegal at a Legal Aid firm specialising in domestic abuse. While studying he secured a training contract at a local large regional firm, Thomson Snell & Passmore. He undertook his second year of legal studies (the Legal Practice Course), then a two-year training contract, qualifying into the property litigation team. He stayed with the firm for a year before moving to a mid-sized London firm, Russell-Cooke LLP. After practising in London for two years, he returned to Thomson Snell & Passmore in 2022. His practice focuses on property development, acting for developers, landowners and banks.

 Having experienced both City-based and out of town law firms, Gut will talk about the benefits and pitfalls of a career in both.

 Oliver Kirk (WW 82-87) Barrister 5 St Andrew’s Hill

Oliver is an experienced criminal advocate. He represents clients in the most serious and complex criminal cases. Prior to being called to the Bar, Oliver was a solicitor for 22 years and a Higher Courts Advocate for the last 10. As a result, Oliver has gained a wealth of experience that means he is ideally placed to advise solicitors on case preparation in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients.

Oliver will talk to us about the differences in practicing in criminal law and corporate law. He will also explain how life in a Chambers differs from that of a large law firm and give us an overview of the sector with thoughts on areas likely to prosper in the future.

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