Claire Leonard

St John’s was already top of my list when it came to thinking about pupillage applications. I wanted to join a Bristol set with a reputation for high quality work across a broad range of civil practice areas and St John’s fitted the bill. I had previously undertaken a mini-pupillage at the set and was impressed both by the effort put in to ensure that I saw a range of interesting work and the time taken by individual barristers to talk through the issues that arose.

My experience during pupillage interviews confirmed that St John’s was the set for me. The interviews were undoubtedly challenging and wide-ranging but, unusually, they were also enjoyable. I felt that the panel wanted to get the best out of me, which helped me to relax and perform more confidently. So far my experience during pupillage has been similar. There is a recognition that Chambers has invested in your training and development so the emphasis is on supporting you to ensure that you succeed.

At St John’s you are encouraged to gain experience in the areas of law that interest you most right from the start. The pupillage system is flexible. It allows you to spend time in different areas with different supervisors or to focus on one area, depending on your preference. Pro bono work is seen as a good way to get advocacy experience before your second six and signing up to the Western Circuit FRU is a great way to do this.

I am from Bristol originally so I am naturally biased, but in my opinion it is a wonderful city to live and work in. I can walk to work in 20 minutes along the waterfront or catch the ferry if I’m feeling lazy. The short commute means I still have time to pursue activities outside of work and the junior end of the local bar certainly make the most of Bristol’s many bars and restaurants!