Annabel's rise from a local school to Pinsent Masons showcases social mobility and the value of determination and authenticity. Her story underscores the need for equal access to opportunities and champions inclusivity in the legal profession.
"My journey from a state school in Middlesbrough to Pinsent Masons is a narrative of resilience and the transformative power of social mobility. As a child, I was oblivious to the world of corporate law, with no one to guide me through career choices or A-levels. My parents, a teaching assistant and a firefighter at the time, provided love and support, but corporate law was a world away from our lives.
Attending Durham University as the first in my family, I aimed to become an Educational Psychologist but felt it wasn’t the path for me. A chance encounter with a City firm trainee after graduation opened my eyes to a career in corporate law, a path previously unknown to me.
Determined to succeed, over a number of years I juggled my legal studies (and multiple part-time jobs to keep me afloat), seizing every legal work-experience opportunity possible. The offer of a training contract from Pinsent Masons was a moment of overwhelming joy and validation of my efforts. My background and the obstacles I overcame played a role in this achievement, despite lacking the connections other may have had.
Social mobility, to me, means having access to the right tools, knowledge, and opportunities to forge the life you envisage. It’s about bringing your true self to work — accent, lived experiences, challenges—and being accepted and valued for them. Now, I’m focussed on raising awareness of the class-based barriers to entry and progression in the legal sector and keeping my foot firmly in the door to allow others the opportunity I have had. "
#PinsentMasons #SocialMobility
Graduate Legal Professional - Fieldfisher
2moVery excited to be joining the Belfast hub and looking forward to meeting everyone! 🙌