Della Heptinstall is a Senior Paralegal in competition law at Addleshaw Goddard. She started as an apprentice lawyer in 2015.
I started my legal journey in 2015, as a legal apprentice, and I've worked my way up through the CILEX qualifications to the point where I’m about to qualify as a CILEX Lawyer.
What made you choose the CILEX route?
I chose the CILEX route partly because I wasn't sure that university right for me; that exams and coursework were the best way for me to show what I had to offer. When I was in college, I applied for university and was offered numerous places. But, I also applied for an apprenticeship – mainly out of curiosity. And it was through speaking with the various law firms that I’d applied to that I saw that this was going to be the right route for me, just in terms of being able to start to build my network. I'm a very hands-on kind of person and so I just really wanted to get stuck in as early as I could.
What's the biggest difference with the CILEX route?
For me it’s the exposure to my specialism. We have trainees who come and spend six months with a team as part of a ‘seat’ whereas I’ll have had four or five years by the time I'm a CILEX Lawyer. There's really a huge difference in that. I'm able to confidently navigate my specialism to the point that I'm advising clients. So, when I start as a CILEX Lawyer, I'll really have that background understanding to be able to pick up cases of my own and really run with matters with minimal supervision.
How did you choose your specialism?
I was quite far down my journey when I decided that competition law was where I wanted to specialise. I'd completed my paralegal apprenticeship and was about three years into my paralegal role with Addleshaw Goddard. It was really off the back of a dawn raid that we'd been instructed on. I’d got involved in the disclosure and all the various nitty gritty bits that we had to do as part of that raid and it kind of came to me as my calling. The more I got involved, the more I knew that this was where I wanted to go.
What I like about competition law is how varied it is. Our team advises huge clients on things that really make a difference – that are on the news and really impact everyday life. I'm really proud to be involved in that.
Why did you choose CILEX Law School?
So I came to be studying with CILEX Law School primarily because it was the provider used by Addleshaw Goddard but after looking at the programme I knew that it was the right fit for me. It had a real breadth of specialisms.
CILEX Law School provides a whole range of support mechanisms, whether it's through their tutors that you're linked with, the timetable that enables you to really structure your studies, or the helpline where you can put to them any queries that you have about your studies or the route that you've taken. At various parts of my study, there have been times when I haven't known the answer to something and I've really needed to get in touch with somebody. It's been quite a niche question that nobody in my firm has been able to answer for me. So, having the CILEX helpline has really helped me to get the information that I need when I need it.
How have you found studying alongside working full-time?
Combining working and studying can be really tough but you do find that balance, whether it’s fitting in studying after work, using the study days that are allocated to me as part of my study programme with Addleshaw Goddard, or taking annual leave, and just allocating a week or two before an exam or for coursework submission, to really knuckle down and get it done. But it's just a case of finding what works for you.
Study wise, I think you could expect to be working between five and eight hours a week, if you want to complete the programme successfully, I think if you really want to knock it out of the park, then you should be putting that up. But it really depends on what works for you. I tended to save my weekends for working on CILEX and I got so much out of the studies that it really made that time sacrifice worthwhile.
What advice would you offer someone looking at training as a lawyer?
I’d say explore the options available to you. University isn’t for everybody, and it doesn't have to be anymore because CILEX offers a different route to qualification that is highly respected, but also offers the opportunity to develop those practical skills that you don’t get when you take the university route. My law firm has sponsored me throughout the entire process and given me everything that I need in terms of support along the way. So I’d definitely recommend it if you don't want to incur all the debt that goes with being at university.
What's next?
I think my CILEX qualification has enabled me to achieve a whole wealth of things, more so than just moving on to the next step. But I want to be an advocate for women in law and for people opting to take a different route that is more diverse than other more traditional routes. In terms of what's next, the sky is the limit. I'll take on opportunities as they're presented to me and who knows what’s in the future holds. I just want to keep moving forward and fulfilling my potential in the legal profession.