Reading time: 3 minsMeet Imogen
My first experience in a law firm was in a part-time job as a secretary. Even as a teenager, I loved the pace, the teamwork, and the focus on helping clients navigate difficult moments. That exposure turned my curiosity into a commitment and I was certain that I wanted to work towards a career that felt meaningful and rewarding.
After failing to reach my goals of being accepted into Oxford University, I graduated from Durham with a demanding law degree that pushed me academically and personally.
Law is a competitive field even at an undergraduate stage, and the warnings we received about the job market quickly became a stressful reality. My well-referenced peers seemed set in their next steps, but I didn’t have an easy fallback. I applied for jobs widely in many legal areas, from the usual high street law firms in family and criminal matters, to specialist areas like maritime law. No matter the law firm, one common issue was rejection.
Helix was the firm that changed that. From the first contact, the team was responsive, straightforward, and easy to talk to. The interview process was reassuringly thorough but also felt human. It also opened my eyes to an area of law I hadn’t considered: commercial litigation. At university, I’d always associated litigation with only the most competitive, relentless students, and I wasn’t sure I was capable of belonging in that world. In that sense, Helix felt daunting, but the challenge was motivating. The determination and drive I sensed throughout the interviews made it clear that Helix was a uniquely ambitious law firm, and I was eager to be part of it.
Joining Helix exceeded my expectations. From my induction, the firm seemed genuinely client-centred, and the people were passionate and highly competent. Those values appealed to me and were refreshing from my previous experience. It was also, admittedly, intimidating. This was my first full-time role in a notable law firm, and I was adjusting to a new city while stepping into a workplace with high standards and real responsibility for paralegals. However, the challenge was exciting. I felt trusted to deliver and supported to grow.
The work itself has made me certain I’ve found the right area of law. Our cases are varied and complex, and the level of responsibility given to paralegals is significant. There’s meaningful independence, close involvement in live matters, and constant collaboration with experienced solicitors and counsel. It’s a steep learning curve, but it’s exactly the kind of environment where you learn fast and learn well, enabling your standard of work to be high even from an early age in your career.
Alongside my role, I’m studying for the SQE and aiming to qualify by the end of 2026. Balancing work and study is far from easy, and hours are expectedly long and rigorous. Helix has given me both the structure and encouragement to make it achievable. The experience has grown my confidence, sharpened my judgment and standards, and pushed me to become the best litigator I can be. I’m certain my career trajectory would look very different without this first step.
Looking back, the uncertainty after graduation felt daunting. Looking forward, I feel grounded and motivated. I’ve found a place where the work matters and I’m challenged to improve. The work is difficult, the feedback is honest, and the expectations are high. That combination has helped me develop not just legal skills, but resilience and initiative - and that will set me up for a meaningful and important career.