Age no barrier to success, says 56-year-old trainee
A would-be lawyer has proven that age is just a number when it comes to securing a training contract - he will be 58 years old when he qualifies.
Steve Willey (pictured) has secured a training contract with west Yorkshire firm Last Cawthra Feather aged 56.
Before bagging a training contract Willey managed to carve out an impressive CV. He worked in a bank, then for its trade union, later switching to the Citizens Advice Bureau and finally representing various organisations in employment tribunals.
He applied to work at Last Cawthra Feather in 2007 and after starting his Legal Practice Course (LPC), the firm has offered him a training contract.
Willey, from Skipton, north Yorkshire, said: I know that Ive been lucky to gain a training contract at my age and my firm have really gone out on a limb for me. But I know that I have a great deal to give the firm in return.
But Willey is not the only trainee to be on the more mature-side. Research by Lawyer2B.com found that Bird & Bird has hired 50-year-old Mary Smillie.
Smillie, who will qualify in February next year, said she has mixed well with the other trainees at the firm - even though many are more than two decades younger than her.
She said: I think someone who has had a little bit more life experience can bring a great deal to a firm.
I am a very loyal person and I have at least 15-years to offer the firm. Most people my age are counting down the days until retirement because they hate their jobs. I love what I do so I cant even imagine wanting to retire.
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Readers' comments (11)
Anonymous | 10-Nov-2008 1:42 pm
Age no limit
I'm in my second year of the part time GDL and all going well I'll be 40 when I qualify. It's a great boost to know others have led they way and with all those years of life experience probably have more to offer in terms of advice to their clients. The young-uns need not worry about us showing up at the NQ party dressed like a Richard Madeley impersonation of Ali-G!
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Roy T Woollard, FRSA | 10-Nov-2008 3:10 pm
Old age? Old Hat!
I entered a training contract with Wilsons Solicitors, Leeds, in 2000, age 54. This was after 2 years full time study - 'CPE' 'LPC' -following my early retirement from secondary headship. I qualified in April 2002 and joined national firm Berrymans Lace Mawer, BLM, in June 2002, specialising, as you might guess, in Education Law. My career with BLM continues to progress and I look forward to many (many) years of service to the profession.
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Anonymous | 11-Nov-2008 2:11 pm
No record!
I began my Training Contract in February '08 with a major city firm at the tender age of 40, and I'm delighted to learn from these posts that that's no record at all. It is great to hear that there are more of us out there.
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Anonymous | 11-Nov-2008 5:00 pm
Can beat that
I know of one trainee who started at 65
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Anonymous | 12-Nov-2008 5:52 am
You were lucky
Old? You call that old? When I started with my current firm as a trainee I was nearly 70. I became an associate when I was 72. I became a partner just one year ago at the age of 79. Not only that, but I've been dead three years. And I didn't see a banana until I was nearly 40. Tsk, kids today!
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Anonymous | 12-Nov-2008 4:40 pm
Age aint nuthin' but a number
Last Cawthra Feather and Bird & Bird- I salute you. This is the legal feel-good story of the year, I tell you.
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Anonymous | 12-Nov-2008 5:01 pm
You were lucky
What's a banana?
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The Old Man | 13-Nov-2008 4:33 pm
Age no barrier
Age isn't a barrier perhaps, but I am convinced it is certainly an obstacle to overcome. I know more 22 year olds who have secured Pupillage - with no work experience to speak of - than I do 42 year olds with 20 or more years of work experience.
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Anonymous | 13-Nov-2008 6:20 pm
Age no barrier? I'm not convinced.
Attended an assessment day at a major city firm this year. During the interview, a partner pointed out that I am a fair bit older than the usual trainees. Could I cope with this? I'm 32!! I wonder what their own employment team would have thought of this question?
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Mikal Laura Anderson | 13-Nov-2008 7:12 pm
Age no Barrier
Life can begin (again) at 40.
After bringing up my four children as a full-time single parent mother, I began my law degree at 40. I then undertook a Masters in Medical Law & Ethics whilst I sought a training contract. I secured this at my dream Firm Girlings Solicitors and I shall begin after this year's LPC is completed. I shall be 45.
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