From paralegal to solicitor – Jessica Woodman’s journey
We’re delighted to celebrate the success of our newly qualified solicitor, Jessica Woodman, who has recently qualified into our corporate team.
Her qualification marks an exciting step forward for our corporate team in Lancaster and Kendal, where she’ll play a key role in supporting and growing our offering in the region.
Jessica, who began her career at Harrison Drury as a paralegal, looks back on the experiences, skills, and lessons that have prepared her for this exciting next chapter.
If you could sum up your journey to becoming a qualified solicitor in three words, what would they be?
Challenging, eventful, and exciting
What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and what made you choose your practice area?
I always enjoyed helping people and solving problems, so law felt like a natural fit.
My favourite aspect of working in corporate is seeing the full scale of the transactions and how various teams across the firm come together to support our clients. I also like the transactional side of things and working together towards the same objective.
Before joining Harrison Drury, I worked for several businesses in the South Lakes. Staying local and supporting local businesses has always been important to me, so I am delighted to continue working closely alongside our local business community.
How has the team at Harrison Drury supported you during your training?
The inclusive and collaborative culture at Harrison Drury has created an environment that encourages asking questions and seeking assistance.
The team’s willingness to share expertise and provide constructive feedback has been invaluable in my learning process.
Who has been your biggest influence or mentor, and what did you learn from them?
My older brother has always been the person I turn to for guidance when making decisions about my career, from interview preparation for my paralegal role to deciding what area of law I wanted to specialise in.
Watching his career progression has taught me to work hard and always strive to do better.
What’s the one skill you use the most at work that you never thought would be part of your daily toolkit?
The ability to manage expectations, whether that be with clients or third parties.
What advice would you give current or future trainees preparing for qualification?
Always keep an open mind throughout the training process.
What is your favourite memory during your time at Harrison Drury?
It’s difficult to pick out a single memory, but I think it must be accepting my NQ offer and celebrating with the team at one of our annual firm social events.
What’s the most unexpected challenge you’ve faced during your training, and how did you overcome it?
I would say it was the requirement to quickly adapt and pick up the different practice areas in a short timeframe. Each seat had its own pace, expectations, and technical demands. I overcame it by being proactive – asking questions, seeking feedback, and learning how to adapt my working style to suit each team.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your job?
Many people think corporate lawyers just draft documents. The job is much more than sitting behind a screen; each transaction has its own complexities and unique negotiation points based on the client’s individual business. Every day brings opportunities to learn something new.
Who or what outside of the legal world inspires you in your work?
My biggest inspiration outside the legal world is my family. Watching how they’ve handled challenges with resilience, integrity, and a strong work ethic has shaped how I approach my career.
Interested in finding out more about a career in law? Our careers page has more details about the opportunities at Harrison Drury.