Students gain valuable experience on work placement at Fletchers Solicitors
Law students Emily Forster and Freya Bulcock have made the most of their recent work placement opportunity at Fletchers Solicitors.
Meet Emily
“This placement has been more beneficial than I could say. It has showed me that clinical negligence is a field I have a passion for and would like to specialise in after my degree. It has also benefitted me in relation to my degree, as I have already covered various topics on my placement that are upcoming in my advanced lawyer skills module, putting me ahead and allowing me to have a more in depth understanding of my module.”
Emily Forster
Meet Freya
“This placement has been invaluable as I have gained a real understanding of what the job of a solicitor entails. I have grown in confidence and developed some great skills which I can take along throughout the rest of my degree. I am more able to understand legal concepts during my lectures by being able to apply them to real life scenarios studied on placement.”
Freya Bulcock
We spoke to Emily and Freya to ask a few more questions about their placement experience.
How did you come across the opportunity to undertake the placement at Fletchers Solicitors?
Emily: I first learned about this opportunity at the Edge Hill University careers fair, where Fletchers Solicitors had a stand. I took the initiative to approach their representatives and had a great conversation about potential work experience opportunities. Following our discussion, I followed up with an email to express my interest, and from there, everything fell into place.
Freya: I really enjoyed talking to a trainee at the Fletchers table during the careers fair the previous year. From this, I applied for the vacation scheme and really enjoyed it. I then asked to come back to experience more, utilizing my connections.
Tell us a bit about your placement. What has this involved?
Emily: During my placement, I worked within the clinical negligence group action team, gaining hands-on experience in this area of law. My tasks included drafting witness statements, reviewing case files, conducting legal research on key issues, and sitting in on group action meetings. Each task gave me a deeper understanding of how complex claims are handled and reinforced my passion for this area of law.
Freya: My placement was within one of the clinical negligence teams in Fletchers. Over the past eight weeks I have learnt how to undergo legal research to develop cases against medical professionals. I have seen many different case files, learning how to use proclaim and picking out key pieces of evidence to create detailed timelines. I was able to listen to recorded interviews and gain a real understanding of what happens with a claim from beginning to end.
How have Fletchers supported you during your placement?
Emily: Throughout my six-week placement, my mentor and the entire team at Fletchers have been incredibly supportive. They answered all my questions, whether about specific cases or general career advice, and shared their personal journeys in the legal profession. They also made sure I felt comfortable and understood my tasks, regularly checking in with me to offer guidance and feedback. Their encouragement made the experience both educational and enjoyable.
Freya: During my placement I have been supported by many people. My mentor and her team have answered all my questions and helped me to understand my set tasks and their importance. Many of the trainees and solicitors sat around me also helped to support me, discussing my degree and their career journeys. Andrew Hesketh was really supportive throughout my placement, even though he was not in the office he checked in regularly through emails to lend support.
What skills and knowledge have you gained and developed whilst being on placement?
Emily: During my placement, I have developed a range of skills that are essential for a legal career. My research skills have improved significantly, as I have had to find and analyse key pieces of information to support claims. I have also enhanced my attention to detail by reviewing case files and drafting witness statements, ensuring accuracy and clarity. Additionally, I have developed my communication skills, particularly in a professional setting, by liaising with colleagues and participating in team meetings. Most importantly, my ability to think critically and apply legal knowledge to real cases has grown, giving me a strong foundation for my future career.
Freya: Throughout my time at Fletchers, I have developed many invaluable skills such as professional communication and time management to complete my tasks. I have found that my legal research skills have significantly improved as I was shown different platforms such as the MPTS to conduct research and learnt what information was valuable to find. Many of the tasks I was set included doing research. These skills have helped me to pay more attention to detail during my university work, which I can take into the field in my future career.
Head of Clinical Negligence at Fletchers, Andrew Hesketh supported Emily and Freya during their placement and spoke to us about.
“We have been delighted to have Freya and Emily working with us over the past few weeks, and to give them both the opportunity to gain some practical work experience as part of one of their modules for their second year studies. I spoke to both Freya and Emily at the University Careers Fair in October 2024 and it was evident then that they were both extremely enthusiastic, determined and keen to gain as much experience as they could in order to help decide on their career paths. They then followed this up with a request for work experience which we were happy to accommodate.
At Fletchers we are committed to improving access to the legal profession and to providing opportunities for work experience wherever we can. Our aim is to deepen students’ knowledge of the law and enable them to decide whether it is the right career, and company, for them. We have been fortunate enough to have a number of work experience students, either attending via individual placements such as this or our summer vacation scheme, then go on to apply for roles at Fletchers and become colleagues, so the benefits for all involved are clear to see.”
Andrew Hesketh
Head of Clinical Negligence, Fletchers Solicitors
We also caught up with Freya and Emily on how they’ve made the most of enhancing their employability skills on their degree at Edge Hill University and their advice.
What opportunities has your degree given you to enhance your employability?
Emily: My degree has provided me with countless opportunities to develop my skills and boost my employability, thanks to the dedicated support of the faculty and careers team. Some of the most valuable experiences I’ve had so far include my placement at Fletchers, the 2024 trip to The Hague, participating in internal Mooting and Mock Trial competitions, running the Mock Trial competition, and attending networking events like ‘Meet the Judges.’ Each of these experiences has given me invaluable insight into the legal profession and allowed me to build strong connections within the industry.
Freya: During university I have had so many opportunities to develop my employability. The Law Society has been the root of all of this for me, with many networking opportunities and inspiring events encouraging me to push myself and my confidence. I have most enjoyed the competitions such as mock trial and all the networking which has provided me with alumni who have helped me along the way.
What advice do you have for students thinking of studying Law at Edge Hill?
Emily: My biggest advice for students considering studying law at Edge Hill is to make the most of every opportunity available. The University provides incredible support, from networking events and placements to competitions and trips that enhance your learning. Engaging with the Law Society, attending careers fairs, and seeking work experience early on can give you a strong foundation for your future career. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions and reach out to lecturers or legal professionals—everyone is willing to help if you show enthusiasm and initiative.
Freya: I would highly recommend studying law at Edge Hill. The staff work tirelessly to provide us with profound support and advice throughout the degree. As Emily mentioned, they also work hard to give us every opportunity they can to build employability skills and my biggest advice is to do it all. I feel as though I am getting so much out of my time at university because I have taken every opportunity and worked hard to create a network and great CV. Go to each networking event, apply for every vacation scheme, mini pupillage and placement you can, go and see the Careers Team who can help with applications and career advice. I have applied for many things, and I am not always successful. But it feels amazing to receive one opportunity like this placement after applying for ten because the experience is so invaluable. This is how Edge Hill helps you to build confidence and prepare you for the future.
And a final word from Emily and Freya on the best part about their placement at Fletchers Solicitors.
“The best part of my placement has been gaining hands-on experience in clinical negligence law. Being able to apply legal principles to real cases and contribute to important claims has been incredibly rewarding. I have particularly enjoyed sitting in on group action meetings and seeing how solicitors strategize and collaborate to build strong cases. Additionally, working with such a supportive team has made the experience even more enjoyable, as I have learned so much from their insights and guidance.”
Emily Forster
“I really enjoyed gaining experience and completing tasks which were valuable to the case. I also enjoyed learning about the different types of claims faced by each solicitor on a daily basis to understand what the role may include in my future. I also found that there was many people to network with who understood my journey and could provide me with valuable advice and support about the future.”
Freya Bulcock
April 2, 2025
