From Criminal Justice student to trainee solicitor: Alanis O'Reilly's journey into law

When Alanis O'Reilly chose to study Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Hertfordshire, she was fascinated by understanding crime, justice and the people caught up in the legal system. Today, she is putting that knowledge into practice as a trainee solicitor at GN Law Solicitors in London.

Her role is varied and people-focused. On any given day, Alanis might be meeting clients, visiting someone in prison or a mental health hospital, taking witness statements or working with colleagues to solve complex legal challenges.

"The really interesting part is analysing a case, looking at it from different angles and thinking outside the box," she said. "We work as a team and like to bounce ideas off each other to find solutions."

Alanis credits her degree with helping her develop the critical thinking skills she uses every day. The course encouraged her to assess evidence, challenge assumptions and approach problems from different perspectives – abilities that now underpin her legal work.

She also praised the support she received from academic staff and the University's Careers and Employment service.

"The lecturers were really engaging and helpful, especially when covering challenging topics," she said. "The Careers service was incredibly useful too. They helped me improve my CV, provided resources and guidance, and really supported me in finding the right opportunities."

For Alanis, a career in law is driven by the chance to make a difference.

"I'm passionate about the law because it allows me to help people who may have been neglected by the system or gone through traumatic experiences," she said. "Being able to use my legal and analytical skills to support them is what makes the role so rewarding."

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