Tanya Lowe has been intrigued by the legal profession since the age of eight - and now she is "living the dream" of being an attorney-at-law.
The 26-year-old credits the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) with paving the way for the advancement of her career.
Tanya was called to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago last month
Having studied for an undergraduate degree at DMU, Barbados-born Tanya stayed on for her postgraduate studies after qualifying for a VC's 2020 Scholarship.
Last month she was called to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago.
Tanya said: "My first court appearance was the following week, where I held for (appeared in place of) another attorney in a jury exemption matter.
"I was quite elated at this experience, as it was finally an opportunity for me to display the advocacy skills I developed at law school.
"I commenced my job as an associate attorney-at-law with a local law firm this month, where I held for my boss, took directions from a magistrate, entered an appearance and introduced myself and my boss to a High Court Judge.
"I am yet to fully come to grips with the fact that I am living my dream of being an attorney-at-law. That fact is gradually sinking in, slowly but surely, and I am delighted."
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Tanya's interest in law was sparked by television programmes she watched and books she read as a child.
"As little as I knew or understood, I instantly decided that I wanted to be an attorney-at-law," said Tanya, who majored in History and Law at college, confirming her legal ambition.
Swapping the Caribbean island for the city of Leicester, Tanya settled in straight away, having chosen to study at DMU because of the course content, facilities and lecturers' experience.
"I fell in love with Leicester from the inception and just couldn't keep away. I still wish to be in Leicester!"
After gaining a 2:1 in her Law degree, Tanya qualified for the VC's 2020 Scholarship, which offers DMU graduates a tuition fee discount of up to 50 per cent.
"I chose to stay because I was impressed with the quality of teaching and the support given by staff at DMU," said Tanya. "Plus, can one really pass up on a scholarship?"
Tanya recommends DMU's LPC to any budding law professional. She said: "It truly paved the way for the advancement of my legal career by providing a well-rounded, well-structured and professional course with competent, professional and intelligent teaching staff."
After graduating Tanya spent six months with a Caribbean law firm, where she interviewed clients, took witness statements, attended civil and criminal courts and more.
She added: "Local law is a mirror-image of UK law, so it wasn't much of a transition but simply a matter of me becoming familiar with the names and sections of local Acts.
"Due to the LPC I was well-equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and training to undertake my six-month attachment to a law firm and now practise as an attorney-at-law."
Posted on Friday 23 June 2017