DMU graduate overwhelmed to win prestigious law award

A Law graduate who helps current De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) students gain practical experience has won a prestigious award.

Myles Bennett, a solicitor with Bobby Dhanjal Legal Services (BDLS), is "humbled" to be named Trainee/Paralegal of the Year in the Leicestershire Law Society Legal Awards 2017.

The annual event highlights key individuals who stand out as ambassadors for the industry and Myles found out he had been nominated for his work with DMU Legal Advice Centre and contribution to his firm at the same time as qualifying.

He said: “I was not expecting the result and to win was an amazing feeling. It was great to be surrounded by my family and work colleagues who had made it possible.”

It has taken hard work and determination for Wolverhampton-born Myles to get where he is today. Graduating from Sheffield Hallam with a degree in Law with Criminology, Myles worked as a carer in a care home while applying for legal jobs.

Myles said: "I had to say to myself, 'I'll give it a shot'."

Within three days of moving to Leicester, Myles landed a job as a paralegal at BDLS after a face-to-face meeting.

"Since then I have excelled - I have been career-focused and grabbed everything by the horns," he said.

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Myles decided to do his Legal Practice Course (LPC) at DMU. "I heard a lot about DMU through staff at BDLS and the university has a nice feel," he said.

"It has loads of opportunities and development and a fantastic law school with recognisable professionals and reputable firms.

"I got a training contract with BDLS and the LPC is essential to become a solicitor. I found it really engaging because I was learning things on Monday and Tuesday and then putting them into practice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

"All the tutors were fantastic. I could go to them with any queries and they treated students as fellow professionals.

"Omar Madhloom, a Senior Lecturer and solicitor at Leicester De Montfort Law School, helped with the commercial aspect and encouraged me to bring in new work for the company."

Myles got involved with the DMU Legal Advice Centre - which gives Law students the chance to deal with real-life cases, meet clients and do research for casework - because he wanted to give something back.

The centre offers free legal advice to staff, students and members of the public and Myles said: "It gives students a different aspect of the law. You can help people and it gives insight into what a solicitor does day in, day out.

"To say you have face-to-face experience with clients, puts students ahead of other candidates in the jobs market," added Myles, whose company has employed two final-year students based on his recommendation.