Social mobility stories - Jen Kingsmill

Certainly! I was raised by my mum, who was a teacher and cared for my dad, who had Huntington's disease. I spent most of my childhood in Fareham, Hampshire, attending a state school called Cams Hill. Thankfully, it wasn’t the same school where my mum taught - that would have been far too embarrassing! I later went to college in Eastleigh. At 15, I started working at a local pizza place to earn some pocket money, and I stayed there until I left for university.

My family didn’t have any connections in the legal field, and I didn’t know anyone who worked in law. However, I was drawn to the subject because of my interest in sociology, politics, history, and debating. Law seemed like a natural combination of these areas. When applying to study law at university, I chose some institutions that required the LNAT, an entry exam. At the time, I didn’t fully understand its significance or what it involved, so I only completed a few practice tests online. Looking back, I realise that many applicants spend months studying for the LNAT or receive private tuition. At that point, I was balancing work, studying for my A-levels, caring for my dad, and still trying to experience the normal teenage rebellion phase.

Unsurprisingly, I didn’t perform well on the exam, but unexpectedly, I received an offer from Bristol University, which I happily accepted. My dad sadly passed away before I started university but I know how proud he was that I got in to study Law at Bristol.

While at Bristol, I was fortunate to receive a generous grant from the government, and my mum applied to charities for additional funding. However, I still had to support myself financially, so I worked at a local bar and as an office/administrative assistant for the university throughout my studies.

During university, there was significant pressure to apply for training contracts in the second year. This didn’t feel realistic for me, as I didn’t feel I had the time to apply, study, work, and maintain my mental health. On top of that, I didn’t think any law firms would be interested in hiring me at that point. The imposter syndrome was real.

Just before my final-year exams, I was diagnosed with dyspraxia, which allowed me to receive some support during my last exams. The diagnosis had been missed earlier, partly because I had been doing well in school, and my state school, with 35 students in a class, focused mainly on those who were struggling.

After university, I started working as a paralegal to see if law was the right fit for me. Fortunately, I found that I truly enjoyed it! However, I struggled with my mental health and felt that firms might not want to hire me as a trainee unless I had solid experience. After a few years working as a paralegal at various firms to build a diverse skill set, I finally felt confident that I had the experience needed to make me a strong candidate. I applied for a training contract and was thrilled to receive an offer for the very first one I applied for.

Securing my first application might seem like a great achievement (and I’m not denying that it is!), but there’s more to the story. Had I grown up with privilege, connections, better tuition, and more self-confidence, I likely wouldn’t have waited until I was 24 to apply for a training contract, which meant I didn’t start my training until I was 26. Coming from a less privileged background, I felt the need to gain as much experience as possible and be the best version of myself before even considering applying and putting myself out there.

One of the advantages of my upbringing is that, through working in various jobs with different people, I’ve become very personable and can easily strike up a conversation with anyone. I’m also a dedicated, proactive worker who never just sits back. I firmly believe that for many people, success isn’t about luck, but about hard work. I take great pride in how much effort I’ve put in to get where I am, and I genuinely believe that my life experiences have given me unique advantages that others may not have. Fortunately, I can recognise them now, whereas I couldn’t before.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my mum. She taught me to always put myself out there with people and to be brave. She taught me to be kind to others but also to be kind to myself. One of her best pieces of advice is, "Don't let the B******* grind you down!".

Another mentor is Sara-Jane Reilly. She was an Associate when I was a paralegal. She was always thoughtful and never forgot what it was like being a paralegal. When I was applying for training contracts, she reviewed my application, gave me notes, and talked me through each stage of applying. She has been there for me ever since. She has left law and is working as a therapist and ADHD coach - she is still one of my very good friends and life mentors. One of the many lessons I’ve learned from her is to never forget how it was in the beginning. When working with others, I try to remember how I liked to be managed and how I learned as a paralegal, trainee, associate, and individual. Being kind, patient, understanding, and transparent is essential - and above all, remembering to say thank you!

Another mentor is Lucy Lewis, head of the Cardiff Office of Lewis Silkin, Chair of the Partnership, and an overall very impressive person. Lucy offered me my NQ role at Lewis Silkin and has always made an effort to look out for me, like she does with all people. During difficult times, Lucy has been a safe space for me to talk to, always offering support wherever she can. Her friendly, approachable demeanour, combined with her ability to stay calm in tough situations, is truly inspiring. Lucy has taught me so much, and I’m confident she will continue to do so. One particularly valuable lesson I learned in my first year at Lewis Silkin is that people make mistakes - don’t stress about it, talk about it, and work together to find a solution. It’s easy to be hard on yourself for making mistakes. I remember going to Lucy in tears, explaining how I had messed up. She stayed calm, made a joke, and helped me feel better. Not only did she show me that it's okay to make mistakes, but she also taught me how to handle it when others do. The key is to create a safe space where people feel comfortable bringing their problems to you, then working together to fix them.

My favourite part of being an Associate at Lewis Silkin is being valued for what I bring and being able to develop the areas I'm interested in. For example, I am deeply passionate about LGBTQIAA+ rights and neurodiversity, and the firm has been incredibly supportive in allowing me to take the lead in these areas. This includes providing training to clients, participating in working groups, and actively seeking my input on related issues.

Without role models to show what life in law is truly like, it can be difficult to envision yourself in that world or fully understand what's required. Helping others see what life as a solicitor is like, and showing that it’s accessible to everyone, is so important. There are some incredible future lawyers out there who just need to know that there’s not one "mould" to fit - they are the mould!

Lewis Silkin recognises the importance of equity and the value of diverse backgrounds. It’s an inclusive firm that appreciates the unique contributions everyone brings and ensures everyone is valued for it. The firm’s dedication to supporting social mobility is so deeply ingrained that we are named after a Lithuanian refugee who became a lawyer and politician.

You don’t need special connections or to do anything extraordinary to become a solicitor or a barrister. You are enough as you are. Being genuinely interested and passionate about the area will take you far. Whenever possible, attend events (online or in person) to gain insight into the profession and connect with others. Additionally, don’t hesitate to put yourself out there - reaching out on LinkedIn or even calling HR at firms to learn more about their offerings and values is a great way to understand a firm better.

Be gentle with yourself when things get tough - just because something is difficult doesn’t mean it’s not worth pursuing. Be courageous in going after what you want. You’ve got this.

Be yourself - you’re the only one who can do it like you! Also, go easy on the cheese during exam time; no one needs that much stilton.