Partner Article

Blacks Solicitors paralegal wins competitive York University Law School bursary

Leeds-based aspiring solicitor and paralegal at Blacks Solicitors LLP, James Farad, has had a career boost after winning a prestigious £1,500 bursary towards his tuition fees at The University of York’s law school.

Following a rigorous application process, James was one of just six students shortlisted for The Tracy Kaye/Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP Memorial Bursary. The award was founded in 2009, in memory of Berrymans Lace Mawer solicitor, Tracy Kaye, who died in 2006. A number of considerations were taken on board, including each student’s commitment to the industry, their skills and their ability in a non-academic competitive environment.

After an hour-long interview in front of a panel including Paul Aber, director of The University of Law in York and Stephen Gorman, Tracy Kaye’s brother, James fought off the strong competition and was awarded the granted to help him through his part-time Legal Practice Course (LPC), which began 12th September.

All aspiring solicitors must pass the course before moving on to the next stage of practice.

James joined Blacks as a paralegal, after being inspired to pursue a legal career at a seminar by the firm’s very own partner in employment law, Paul Kelly and will continue to work there full-time. The grant will go towards James’ part-time course at The University of Law, which he will attend chiefly at weekends, before qualifying in March 2015.

He said: “Having that extra financial support will enable me to continue gaining valuable hands on experience at Blacks, whilst studying for my LPC. I’m really looking forward to starting the course and graduating.

“The grant means so much to me and I really can’t thank The Tracy Kaye/Berrymans Lace Mawer Memorial Bursary enough.”

Managing partner at Blacks Solicitors, Chris Allen, added: “James is a great addition to our team, which is one of the largest employment law team in Leeds. I am glad that the bursary will help him with his studies, and I am sure that he will learn a lot from his colleagues while working here.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Gatehouse .