Birkett Long is delighted to announce an intake of three new trainee solicitors Charlotte Burkert, Alexandra Zahariadi and Holly Smith.

Charlotte Burkert

Charlotte studied for her Law Degree at the University of Sunderland.  She went on to study the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Masters in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Law in London.

Charlotte joined the corporate and commercial finance team at Birkett Long whilst studying for the LPC part-time. Although this was a challenge balancing work and studying, the invaluable support she had from Birkett Long played a major factor in successfully completing her studies.  After working in the corporate and commercial finance team for 18 months, Charlotte became a paralegal in the firm’s dispute resolution team specialising in debt recovery for individuals and companies, which was also the team in which she took her first training seat.

Charlotte said: “I did not believe at the time of studying and working that ‘it would all be worth it in the end’ but when I received my training contract offer and commenced my training contract, all the hard work really was worth it, especially becoming a trainee solicitor within a fantastic firm.”

Charlotte said that Birkett Long has given her the training, skills, experience, and professional development to reach this level in her career.  She said: “Birkett Long have given me invaluable support and dedication to my professional development.  The enjoyable working environment at Birkett Long played a big part in getting to this stage and I cannot thank the firm enough for their continuous support.”

During her A-levels, Charlotte was offered a work placement at the Crown Prosecution Service.  She shadowed a Crown Advocate during her time there inside and outside of Court. This gave her great exposure to the legal industry which sparked her interest in pursuing law as a career.  Charlotte worked in criminal defence and prison law whilst studying for her law degree. During her time there she attended Magistrates’ hearings, Parole Board Hearings, Crown Court trials and undertook administrative duties for efficient case management. Charlotte found prison law very interesting given its niche qualities. 

Charlotte also volunteered with the Witness Service at the local Magistrates in the North East.  This entailed advising prosecution and defence witnesses of the court procedure and being their main point of contact during hearings.  Charlotte was undecided whether to study the LPC or the Bar so she secured a mini pupillage where she shadowed a Barrister in Chambers and at Crown Court to get an insight into the working day as Barrister to figure out if this was the career path she wanted to take given her love for advocacy.  Charlotte decided to take the solicitor route, applied to work at Birkett Long in July 2019 and has been with the firm ever since.

Of her current seat Charlotte said that dispute resolution is very varied day to day.  She has conduct of her own cases as well as assisting fee earners in the team.  Her role involves various tasks such as advising clients on their legal position which could be anything from a breach of contract to property litigation, drafting instructions to Counsel, undertaking research, conducting and attending client meetings, attending Court/video hearings and lots more.

On what she likes about Birkett Long Charlotte said: “I love that Birkett Long promote a healthy work/life balance.  They are dedicated to their employees as well as their clients and go above and beyond ensuring the working environment is the best it can be.  I also like how Birkett Long give back to the community.  Given my passion for horses, I love that Birkett Long are proud sponsors of the Writtle University College Equine Academy.”

Charlotte said: “I could not feel prouder to call myself a trainee solicitor for Birkett Long.”

Alexandra Zahariadi

Alexandra graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2018 where she studied Law with Canadian Law (LLB) and achieved a First. During her third year of university, she studied law at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

Alexandra then went on to study at the University of Law in London whilst working full-time as a paralegal in the firm’s dispute resolution team, during which time she was offered a training contract commencing in March 2021.

Alexandra recently completed the LPC at the University of Law in London and achieved a Distinction. She completed the LPC on a part-time basis, taking classes most weekends, over the course of two years.

Alexandra remembers during her time at school she was a member of the “Have Your Say” language competition team, public speaking team and Magistrate Mock Trial Competition team which initially sparked her interest in pursuing a career in law.

Alexandra was selected to complete a three-month placement as a Gateway Assessor at the Citizens Advice Bureau whilst at the University of Nottingham, where she was able to assist members of the public with a variety of financial, legal and consumer problems. Her responsibilities and tasks included conducting interviews with clients, producing case reports, making appropriate referrals, and carrying out extensive research.

Whilst living in Canada, she visited a federal medium-security prison, working with prisoners on issues concerning human rights, and the British Columbia Supreme Court with the UBC law society where she observed various cases. Alexandra was also selected to visit prisons such as HMP Whatton with the Pro Bono Society whilst studying at the University of Nottingham.

Alexandra was a member of the University of British Columbia Sisu Girls Programme which involved undertaking charity work around Vancouver and empowering young women through participation in outdoor adventure and sport. She has also volunteered at IntoUniversity, which involved visiting local after-school centres to assist disadvantaged young people in Nottingham to gain a place within a higher education establishment, in addition to working at various summer school programmes and music master classes for prospective secondary-school students.

Alexandra lived and studied law in Canada for one year and only one person from her university was able to study at the University of British Columbia (UBC). After completing the application and interview process, she was selected to attend UBC and represent the University of Nottingham for her third year of study. This experience gave her exposure to a different legal system; it also allowed her to study unique modules such as sports law and media law, broaden her intercultural awareness, meet new people, enhance her legal network, and gain true independence.

Alexandra has already completed her first seat in the divorce and family team and she is now a few months in to her seat in the commercial real estate team.

When asked what she likes about Birkett Long Alexandra said: “it’s dedication to the community and extensive charity work. The firm also has a desire to achieve the best result for each and every client and the general work-life balance, the use of flexi-time and the ability to work from home are all positives. I have loved my time at Birkett Long – it has always felt like being part of a family and I have received a huge amount of support from colleagues throughout my journey to becoming a trainee solicitor. The training I have received so far has been excellent and I am looking forward to progressing further.”

Holly Smith

Holly graduated from the University of Lincoln, achieving a 2:1 in Law (LLB). During her time at university, she secured work experience at a local firm which introduced her to the practical application of the law and the culture of a law firm.

Holly joined Birkett Long as a paralegal in the dispute resolution department and was the firm’s debt collector for three years. Holly managed the firm’s internal debt and worked closely with the quality and compliance and finance departments to review practice processes and increase fee recovery.

Holly also ran a large caseload, working with clients to recover their own debts as well as providing advice on how to minimise overall debt levels whilst maintaining key client relationships.

During her time as a paralegal, Holly completed the Legal Practice Course and obtained a Masters in Legal Practice at BPP University in London.  She was then offered her training contract which commenced March 2021. Holly completed her first seat in residential property. Her second seat is in the wills trusts and probate team and she is hoping to do her third and final seat in divorce and family team.

Whilst studying at the University of Lincoln, Holly competed in and won the University of Lincoln Law Society Negotiation Competition. This practical experience improved her public speaking skills and proved to be invaluable during her time in the dispute resolution department.

Holly also volunteered as a pro-bono legal adviser at the Lincoln Law Clinic which provides free legal advice to both staff and students. This experience gave her the opportunity to help fellow students whilst also broadening her understanding of the law and strengthening her analytical and problem-solving skills. 

Holly also achieved the Lincoln Award and was an active member of the University of Lincoln Law Society.

Prior to joining Birkett Long, Holly was employed as a legal secretary at a local conveyancing firm. This experience assisted Holly during her seat in the firm’s residential property department and furthered her appreciation of how the law operates in practice.

In her current role as a trainee, Holly drafts legal documents and advice, conducts legal research, regularly meets with clients, and generally assists other fee earners whilst also occasionally running her own files on occasion.

Holly appreciates Birkett Long’s commitment to career progression, particularly towards those choosing non-traditional routes to qualification.

For further press information please contact Jennie Skingsley at Birkett Long on 01206 217605, email: jennie.skingsley@birkettlong.co.uk