Recent LLM graduate Megan Firth studied part-time whilst working for a national law firm. Megan shares why she chose to study General Legal Studies at Bristol, how it has provided her with excellent academic grounding for a career in law, and what it meant to receive the award for best performance on her programme.
Why I chose postgraduate law at the University of Bristol
The LLM in General Legal Studies at Bristol stood out to me due to the wide range of modules to choose from, which would enable me to study across key areas I was interested in, including employment law, human rights law, and health law.
The extracurricular opportunities were the key reason behind my choice to study at the University of Bristol, particularly the opportunity to get involved in the Human Rights Law Clinic or the Law School Clinic.
I completed my LLM part-time over two years whilst working for a national law firm. I was keen to continue my academic studies whilst also gaining real workplace experience and the LLM programme at the University of Bristol enabled me to do both.
What I enjoyed most about my programme
I most enjoyed writing my dissertation because it enabled me to choose a niche area of law that I was interested in. It focused on whether the Equality Act 2010 provides effective protection for transgender individuals in an employment context.
My dissertation gave me the opportunity to embark on an in-depth research project into a relevant and controversial area of law. I was able to engage in interesting discussions with my supervisor and learn from them throughout the process.
What would you say to someone who is considering studying postgraduate law at Bristol?
I would recommend the university to anyone who is keen to study law at a highly ranked institution in a city setting. I’d emphasise the choice of modules and the support I received during my time at the University, along with the opportunities to get involved in a range of societies and volunteering initiatives.
Describe your current role
I’m continuing to work in the same law firm as I did while I was studying, having been offered a full time role in the Marketing department as Directories Executive. My role involves coordinating the firmwide submissions to Legal 500 and Chambers, and assisting with business development activities.
My future career plans
Completing the LLM at Bristol has provided me with excellent academic grounding for a career in law.
I am hoping to secure a training contract at a full service law firm, which will qualify me as a solicitor. I remain open minded towards my practice area, but have strong interests in a career in employment law or private client law.
What makes Bristol a good city to study law?
Bristol’s legal market is excellent and growing, which provides law students with plenty of networking opportunities and therefore puts graduates in a good position for applying for training contracts or other jobs in the legal industry.
Beyond the legal market, Bristol’s young and diverse population means there are plenty of events to attend and lots going on. The surrounding environment provides a great place to relax and take a break from studying, whether it’s a run around Stoke Park Estate or a coffee with friends at the harbourside.
On receiving the award for Best Performance on the LLM General Legal Studies
I feel very grateful and honoured to receive a prize from a highly regarded University. This is a wonderful recognition of my hard work, and I’m particularly appreciative of my professors for the opportunity to learn from them and engage in interesting discussions.