Mary McCutchan TEP

Solicitor, Hugh James Solicitors in Cardiff

Biography

I graduated from Royal Holloway in 2014 with a BA in History (2:1). I am currently a Trusts and Estates Practitioner at Hugh James Solicitors in Cardiff. Prior to that, I was a solicitor in the Wills, Probate and Trusts department of a firm that operates throughout West Sussex and Hampshire, MacDonald Oates LLP, and within my area of law, I dealt with drafting Wills and Trusts, dealing with Trusts on a day-to-day basis, administering estates of those who had passed away, and the tax implications of all those different areas. I also advised on Lasting Powers of Attorney and capacity issues, and making applications to the Court of Protection for Deputyships.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Royal Holloway? Any favourite memories of campus?

I actually had to attend Royal Holloway through ‘clearing’ and therefore had to go on a waiting list for university accommodation. I was pretty set on living in Founders, and my absolute favourite memory of my time on campus was the fact that, although I was in a shared room and was very nervous when I first arrived knowing that, we had a great time in that room and that building. It is still fun now showing people that we lived in such an incredible building.

What attracted you to a careers in law?

Honestly, I studied History at RHUL because I really enjoyed it, and when I was graduating, I had no idea what I wanted to do next, but I knew that I enjoyed academic subjects and wanted to have a vocation. Law seemed to be the next logical step, but also it is a great qualification to have and can take you anywhere. It seemed like a very solid career choice, and certainly with everything happening in the world now, my profession has so fair not been affected. The great thing about a legal career is that everyone needs a lawyer at some point!

What do you enjoy the most about your role?

Because I am a private client solicitor, I am usually dealing with people who are grieving, or those who are having to consider all the worst case scenarios that they avoid in normal life. The most enjoyable part of my job is being there is reassure people and generally help at a time when they are potentially vulnerable and looking for assistance.

Did you do any work experience or volunteering roles whilst you were studying and if so what did you gain from your experiences?

I did hardly any work experience, which always surprises people. The myth about training contracts and the difficulty in obtaining one is certainly true, but I did one week at a local firm whilst at university, and that was it. I did however do lots of volunteering, which helped me gain a much better perspective on the wider population and I think anyone who is considering working in any environment where you will be in contact with people should definitely obtain some experience in volunteering.

What advice would you give to students considering a career in law and applying for vacation schemes and training contracts?

My advice is that if you want to become a lawyer, it will happen. You may not have the best grades or the best work experience (like myself), but do not listen to negative influences and just keep applying. There are so many ways into the law now, and the traditional route may not be the best option for you. I also think it is really important to apply to firms that suit you as well as the other way around, as you need to enjoy your training contract in order to get the most out of it.