September '21 Paralegal of the Month: Hannah Vo

Hi Hannah! Could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background?

Hi! I am Hannah, and I am a law graduate from the Open University Law School. I have recently completed my LPC at BPP University in Manchester. I have been working as a paralegal with Flex Legal since July 2021.

How did you first become interested in working in law?

Growing up, I wanted to become a police officer. I chose law as one of the optional subjects in high school because I thought that was closely related to a career in law enforcement and security. Little did I know I found contract and tort law to be very exciting. I started to attend open court hearings at the age of 17. The lawyers and judges really inspired me. I found a career in law to be very challenging yet very rewarding. I had always wanted to make a real difference for others and solve problems – so that was the first time that I became interested in working in law.

Could you tell us about your experience working through Flex Legal?

My experience with Flex Legal has been very positive. The Flex Legal Team has been very supportive and professional since I signed up last year. The Team would address my enquiries and concerns very quickly. It was also easy to set up my Flex Legal profile and had it up running. The opportunities through Flex Legal were many, and I am forever grateful for the support from the Flex Legal Team.

Where are you currently working?

I am currently working as a paralegal at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’).

What have you found interesting about your most recent role?

My placement at Freshfields has been overwhelmingly positive and beyond my expectation. As a temporary paralegal, I have been involved in various projects and exposed to different areas of law. Since day one, I was given great responsibility and high-quality work, which have helped me develop essential skills and become more confident. I have also been given great flexibility to find my way of doing things, which has helped me learn and grow. I am so grateful for having the opportunity to learn from the best ones as well! In addition, the environment is collaborative, encouraging, extremely friendly, positive and supportive! I have made real connections with others and enjoy my time being here.

What advice would you give to those looking to get into paralegal work?

I think it is vital to explore different opportunities that you have. Do not be disappointed if you are looking for permanent roles, but only temporary positions are available. Give that a try – because you never know the temporary role could turn into a permanent one! And if it does not – it is still a fantastic opportunity to grow professionally. If you do not have any legal work experience and find it difficult to get one – try to get legal work experience by volunteering. By way of example, many small start-up tech companies lack resources, so check out whether they offer some short-term work experience. Last year was so challenging for me. Although I had some legal work experience as a legal advisor at two different law clinics and other transferable skills I gained from previous employment, it was not enough. Many firms were seeking candidates with paralegal work experience from law firms or other organisations. So, I then tried to gain further legal work experience by volunteering which I found very beneficial and a rich learning experience. Do not feel discouraged by rejections! You will learn from each rejection and do better, and you are closer to your goal than you know! Keep up with a positive mindset and surround yourself with people who believe in you.

Finally, with society getting back to normal now, what are you enjoying most about the 'new normal'?

Seeing my family and friends again – and cooking together. Going back to the office and meeting my colleagues! I am also a huge football supporter, so I enjoy watching live matches again and singing along with other supporters.