Alice Kinder | Employment Legal Director | Bexley Beaumont

Since studying the LPC MSc with us, Alice Kinder has gone on to become the youngest president of Birmingham Law Society, an employment legal director at Bexley Beaumont and the recipient of multiple professional awards. We caught up with Alice to discuss her inspirational career and get her advice for students looking to make a difference through a role in employment law.

I first became interested in employment law during the part-time retail jobs I had as a student. Whenever decisions were made at work, I was always interested to know the law behind them and wanted to research my rights and those of my colleagues. This led me to choose an employment seat during my training contract, which I greatly enjoyed and I decided that employment was where I wished to specialise.

Law underpins everything that we do and I was fascinated by this. I studied history and politics at A level, which were centred around strong written communication and critical analysis. I also enjoyed debating and public speaking, so thought that studying law may align to my strengths and interests.

What I now enjoy most about employment law is that my work is all about people. Whether I am guiding an employee through a difficult situation or helping a company create a fair and inclusive work environment, empowering others and having a positive influence on people’s lives is incredibly rewarding.

As an employment lawyer, I support employers and individuals with complex workplace challenges, from recruitment to termination and beyond. Every day is different and my work is interesting and varied. I advise employers on key HR matters including:

• employment contracts and policies
• discrimination
• disciplinary and grievance issues
• redundancies
• and the employment aspects of corporate and commercial transactions.

I also help employee clients navigate workplace disputes and represent both employers and employees in employment tribunal claims. Alongside my advisory work, I deliver training sessions on employment practice and equality, diversity and inclusion.

One of the main reasons I chose to become President of the Birmingham Law Society is because I believe that the legal profession should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background. During my presidency, I strived to ensure that the Birmingham Law Society continued to be a welcoming, dynamic and progressive space where our members could get involved and be supported. To achieve that objective, I set my focus on two key themes – community and opportunity. Community reflected my desire to foster connections and contribute to a stronger and more integrated city. Opportunity represented my unwavering dedication to ensuring that everyone has the chance to achieve their aspirations, both within the legal profession and within the society.

As a social mobility ambassador for the Law Society of England and Wales, I have also had the opportunity to promote the importance of social mobility and equal opportunities on a national level. I hope that through this role, I have been able to encourage organisations and individuals to take proactive steps to drive positive change.

For those without connections in the legal profession, it can be difficult to obtain legal work experience. I encountered this challenge when I first considered becoming a solicitor and remember handing out my CV to lots of organisations with no response. I encourage students in this position not to be too disheartened and consider other ways to develop the required skills. For example, while I was at university, I spent several years working in retail, which significantly enhanced my confidence and business awareness and strengthened my training contract applications. 

The University of Law sets its students up for success by providing practical and career-focused legal education. With lectures and workshops taught by experienced legal professionals, the University ensures that students graduate with both the theoretical knowledge and real-world skills needed to excel in the legal world. The University also offers a supportive Employability Service to help students understand their options and connect with leading law firms and employers.

To succeed as a solicitor, it is important to demonstrate that you are well-rounded and have key skills beyond academic performance. Law firms will look for candidates with strong communication skills as you need to be able to convey complex legal concepts clearly to clients.

Having an active role in Birmingham Law Society as a junior lawyer has had a huge impact on my development. It helped me to build leadership and management skills and gave me a valuable network. Local law societies can provide a platform for students to connect with peers, legal professionals and potential employers. Involvement in a law society can often give students first hand exposure to different areas of law and help them to make informed choices about their career. There may also be a chance to join committees and organise events, which can help to develop leadership, project management and teamwork skills.

It is important to recognise that not all relevant work experience needs to be legal. For example, working in customer service can help develop communication skills and the ability to manage difficult situations. Leadership roles in student societies can demonstrate teamwork and responsibility, while retail or hospitality jobs may teach resilience, time management and problem-solving. Even experiences like travel or volunteering can show adaptability and an ability to engage with diverse groups of people. All of these skills are valuable in legal practice.

Employment law is constantly evolving. Reading relevant legal and news updates to keep up to date with topical employment issues and reflecting on how they may impact businesses and individuals can help demonstrate your interest in and awareness of the subject. If possible, I would recommend that you observe some employment tribunal hearings, as many are held in public. It is also important to remember that employment issues often involve a human element. Gaining experience working with a variety of different personalities, for example, through a customer service role, can help to develop key transferable skills.

My core piece of advice is simple – the only person who can take control of your career is you. Whilst it may feel daunting, opportunities will often need to be actively sought out. It is important to be proactive from an early stage and get involved in as much as you can. It is also important to have confidence in your own ambitions and acknowledge that everyone’s journey in the legal profession will be different.

Follow in Alice's footsteps and study the LPC with us today.

By Cara Fielder. Published 18 November 2024.