Student Wins Coveted Legal Prize From Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell’s Legal Competition Returns To Give One Lucky Student A Week in The Life Of A Lawyer

 

The return of a local law competition has resulted in one lucky local student securing first prize of a week’s placement with one of the country’s top law firms.

 

Millie Neath, a law student at Thomas Rotherham College (TRC) scooped first prize of a week with Irwin Mitchell, having delivered the winning presentation in the TRC Law Competition.

 

Last won by Anthony Ioannou in 2019, the popular competition has returned for the first time since the pandemic suspended the initiative in 2021 and 2022.

 

Millie will now have the opportunity to benefit from a week with some of the country’s top lawyers, commencing on 25 July, 2022.

 

Open to BTEC and A Level students, those entering the competition are required to impress the judges by delivering a presentation on a given legal topic. This year, the students had to conduct research and provide an essay in relation to whether children should be able to consent to their own medical or cosmetic procedures.

 

Mille’s presentation was picked out by the judges for her detailed research. Millie provided a well-structured, interesting essay focusing on more than one topic area. Millie made reference to relevant legislation, statistics and academic opinions of others. It was clear from Millie’s essay that she had taken the time to understand the question at length, providing a compelling opinion.

 

The runner up prize of a £50 Amazon voucher was awarded to Nancy Creswell-Hall, while Emily Ward in third place won a text book on the law.

 

The judges included Irwin Mitchell colleagues Emily Mansfield and Ellie Taylor, with Ellie being living proof of the value of the competition in picking out promising legal talent, having won the first prize herself in 2014.

 

Ellie Taylor, now a Paralegal at Irwin Mitchell, said: “It means a lot to be able to return to TRC as a judge in a competition I was once a winner of and all of the judges were impressed with Mille’s submission. It really stood out, with some interesting observations and the obvious research that had gone into it.

 

“Being a winner led me onto work for Irwin Mitchell myself and gave me a taste of what a career in the legal profession could look like in practice. I’m sure Mille will get a lot out of the placement and it’s so important to be able to support this again after a forced two year break due to the pandemic. We’re looking forward to doing more as we return to a new normal.”

 

Andrew Penney, Assistant Head of the Business and Law Faculty at TRC, said: ‘’After a challenging few years, it’s great to see the return of the legal competition.

 

“Our continuing partnership with Irwin Mitchell gives our students an opportunity to take on a real challenge with the prospect of a placement at the end of it. All the entries were of a high standard which says a lot about the calibre of our students and our winner Mille, who I’m sure will make the most of it.”