I qualified as a solicitor in December 2024 and now work in the Corporate department at Hegarty after completing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

My journey with Hegarty started in October 2021 as a legal assistant in Corporate, with the goal of gaining QWE before taking my exams. Over three years, I worked my way up from legal assistant to paralegal, before finally qualifying as a solicitor.

Having been with Hegarty since 2021, I had already built up my Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), so once I passed SQE1 in January 2024 and SQE2 in July 2024, I was able to qualify as soon as I received my results in November 2024.

I chose the SQE route over the LPC because it offered a quicker way to qualify, but I quickly realised that while it was faster, it was definitely not easier. The SQE is challenging, testing legal knowledge at the standard of a newly qualified solicitor rather than a trainee. What really helped me get through it was the experience I had already gained in Corporate and Litigation, which proved invaluable for SQE2 in particular, as it’s heavily focused on practical legal skills. Unlike a traditional training contract, I didn’t have to rotate through different seats, but having exposure to both areas gave me a solid foundation.

Hegarty was very supportive throughout my SQE journey. As the first person at the firm to qualify through this route, it was a learning process for both me and the firm. Their support, including study days ahead of my exams and the chance to gain experience across different departments, made it much easier to combine work with exam preparation, as the experience I gained was directly relevant to my studies.

I decided to qualify into Corporate law because I enjoy the variety and problem-solving aspect of the work. Every day is different, and no two clients are the same, which keeps things interesting and challenging.

Now that I’ve qualified, I’m looking forward to continuing my development as a solicitor and progressing within the firm.

Isabella Green

I recently qualified as a solicitor in the Litigation Department on 3rd March 2025 following completing my Training Contract with the firm. I studied my Legal Practice Course at weekends whilst working at the firm, so I was able to get experience in the industry.

I started the firm in September 2021 as a legal assistant in crime and then went on to be a trainee case handler in residential property. I then started my Training Contract in September 2023 where I did 18 months of training. My two seats were Litigation and Corporate.

Hegarty have always been so helpful from day one with all aspects of my training and development. Throughout my Training Contract it was nice to work with such supportive Partners who always made time to support you and train you properly.

I found it really useful having regular feedback on my work and approach to matters. This helped me to navigate what I was doing well in and where there was room for improvement. Hegarty provided a really positive training environment and allowed me to develop to the best of my ability.

I chose to qualify in Litigation as it is such a broad area of law. Although there are cases within the same category, no case is the same as another which means I get to learn something new every day. Litigation is a fast-paced environment and often involves a lot of deadlines which is another reason I enjoy working in it so much, I love a challenge.

I’m looking forward to continuing to get more experience and developing my career within the firm.

Our Office Locations

Trainees to Solicitors | Meet our newly qualified team members

Hamzah Ajaib

Isabella Green

Stay up-to-date with Hegarty