Chloe Troake – Family Law Legal Administrator

I applied to BH Support for my placement year to gain practical experience and materialise the skills I acquired while studying at university.

It was important for me to find a placement opportunity that prioritised clients’ needs and evaluated the wider impact of its work within a community – from my experience, BH Support does exactly that.  I have gained insight into the day-to-day operation of a Community Interest Company, as well as collaboration with other industry-leading organisations on a variety of cases in Family Law.

At the start of my placement, I sat with experienced colleagues to understand their approach, and to gain first-hand experience of client interaction.  By gaining confidence and experience, I became able to help these clients myself, learning more about the law, different court requirements, and effective communication techniques. I have also been engaged with Clients that have allowed me to investigate other areas in law, including business administration, and legalising the contractual obligations an organisation holds.  I am now capable of handling a variety of cases on my own, as well as running Initial Consultations for potential clients and supporting them on their journey through the legal system.

As someone with a disability, I am able to use my experience to support people and promote Diversity, Inclusion and Equality.  It has been a pleasure to work with charities and organisations that promote these values and views as part of my role in BH Support. It has also been a great experience to network with some of the best lawyers and inspirational figures within Family Law, as well as leading tech-developers who we have supported in developing a digital programme to assist client recovery during and after abusive relationships.

Reflecting on my placement year, I can confidently say that it has surpassed my initial expectations; I have gained invaluable practical experience working in the legal industry and have learnt a great deal about empathy and how important support systems are.  I look forward to continuing with the Company and would encourage anyone looking to complete their placement with BH Support.

If you or anyone you know is interested in undertaking a placement opportunity with us please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or queries you may have.

Together we are strong!