Gallery speaks to recent graduates about their move to the working world, what motivates them and what advice they’d give to those who are new to Jersey’s top companies.
Emily Holland
PARALEGAL AT OGIER
Age: 25
Uni attended: I chose to go straight into work after my A Levels instead of attending university and have worked at other Jersey law firms prior to joining Ogier in 2016.
What did you want to be when you were 8? A PE Teacher
Favourite way to relax?
A good meal, glass of red wine and an early night
Favourite place to eat in Jersey?
Miraflores – the portion sizes are admirable
What’s your favourite possession? My Birkenstocks – I wear them all year round come rain or shine!
What made you choose the company you work for?
When I left school I worked as a Legal Secretary in the private client department of another firm and from the start I loved the work I was doing, but sought progression. Ogier is a highly reputable firm and it provided me with the challenge I desired and the development in my career that I was looking for.
What sort of professional training do you take?
I undertook the ILSPA diploma when I was working as Legal Secretary which provided me with a base line understanding of all types of law. Shortly after that I realised I wanted to pursue a career in Property Law and now look to undertake further, more specialised, training in this field in the near future.
What do you do on an average day?
Every day is different in the property law department! Day to day, I work mainly on freehold residential sales and purchases but also assist with development transactions, commercial leases and private and bank lending. There is so much variety within my role which I adore and I continue to learn and progress every day. My role is also very client facing which is very satisfying. My favourite part of my role is escorting clients to The Royal Court to pass contract on their property purchase – it makes the inevitable bad days worthwhile!
What is your next step?
I am looking to progress and specialise further in property law. The conveyancers in our department hold a world of specialised knowledge which I am very excited to tap into – if I can absorb even a quarter of what they know within the next 5 years I will be very proud of myself.
What advice would you give yourself as a school leaver considering the experience you have now?
That university is not the only way to be successful. I felt a lot of pressure when leaving school seeing all of my friends going university and feeling like I was letting myself down by not. I now realise that there was really no reason to worry. The experience I have gained over the past 7 years of working has given me an invaluable set of skills which is now shaping my career. University is also always an option should I wish to undertake a degree – being a mature student doesn’t sound so bad.
MORE ABOUT OGIER
Ogier provides legal advice on BVI, Cayman, Guernsey, Jersey and Luxembourg law. Our network of locations also includes Hong Kong, London, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Legal services for the corporate and financial sectors form the core of our business, principally in the areas of banking and finance, corporate and commercial, investment funds, dispute resolution, private equity and private wealth. We also have strong practices in the areas of employee benefits and incentives, employment law, regulatory, restructuring and insolvency and property.
Ogier regularly wins awards for the quality of its work and its people, including International Team of the Year – Legal Week Innovation Awards 2018, and Offshore Law Firm of the Year – Chambers Europe 2018.
INTERESTED?
Contact Harriett Bisson, Senior HR Resourcing and Onboarding Advisor – recruitment@ogier.com
44 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE4 9WG
