Emilia and Ana-Carina’s Student Scheme Reflections

Introductions

My name is Emilia Elliott, and I’ll be studying law at the University of Bristol. I am originally from Northern Ireland, but I grew up in Brussels and Washington, D.C. and completed the International Baccalaureate in Cheltenham. I’ve always enjoyed meeting people from different parts of the world and so finding out more about the Channel Islands and the specifics of Jersey’s legal system was immediately very appealing to me.

My name is Ana-Carina Kreutzer, and I am a second-year student at the University of Edinburgh studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Throughout these studies, I have become motivated to explore law, seeing it as an avenue where these disciplines intersect, and as a framework for analysing complex issues from multiple perspectives. Spending a month at Baker & Partners in the BVI seemed like the perfect chance to learn about the people, processes, and problem-solving behind the legal profession.

Curiosity & Excitement

In the lead-up to starting our placements, we both felt a real mix of excitement and curiosity about what life inside a litigation firm would be like.

The curiosity stemmed from thinking about how we would spend our time, which we thought would mostly be devoted to supporting the team with logistical tasks – assisting with filing, organising documents, and providing general admin.

The excitement originated from an eagerness to experience the pace and environment of a real legal practice – learning how lawyers approach problems, understanding the way legal teams work, and gaining insight into how to achieve the best outcome for clients.

Emilia’s Experience

From a culture point of view, it didn’t take long for me to realise how welcoming everyone is at Baker & Partners. Arriving just in time for the firm’s summer party gave me an opportunity to meet people from across the office and I was able to feel the strong sense of community within the firm.

In terms of the workload, I have really enjoyed being able to undertake meaningful tasks that challenged me to think critically. I’ve spent time researching topics ranging from the structure of Jersey’s legal system and the role of the Bailiff and Jurats, to insurance disputes, property law, and issues surrounding delegates, capacity and self-determination. I was also given the chance to draft a range of documents, such as a skeleton argument for an application of costs on an indemnity basis. Compiling this required me to work through case documents, identify the strongest supporting points and present them in a clear, persuasive, and professional style. These tasks have given me a real appreciation for the level of preparation and attention to detail that goes into work long before a matter reaches the court room.

One of the highlights of my first week was attending Samedi Court. As well as observing proceedings, I was introduced to some of Jersey’s unique legal traditions, including the customs surrounding property transactions. It was fascinating to see how Jersey’s legal system has developed its own identity while still sharing similarities with other jurisdictions. Since then, I have also had the opportunity to observe three trials, including a two-day hearing and an appeal case. It was interesting to see the individual styles of advocacy that each lawyer used and had developed throughout their career.

Early on in my placement, Stephen Baker invited me to observe an advocacy exercise that he was leading for the firm’s paralegals, which was based on a court case that he had completed only a few weeks prior. Watching the activity and listening to the individualised feedback each paralegal received from Stephen demonstrated to me the importance of not just the content of an argument, but the tone and delivery of an argument as well. I soon learnt that I too would be participating in the exercise, which immediately made me nervous. I felt like I was ill-equipped to prepare a case on my own, but I pushed ahead regardless. Thanks to this sudden push, and the support I was given by my mentor Thomas Harris, my initial nervousness turned into excitement and determination to achieve the best result for my non-existent client.

Perhaps what has impressed me the most throughout the placement is how willing everyone has been to involve me in their work. Tom has been an exceptional mentor, consistently and patiently taking the time to explain unfamiliar areas of law, answer my many questions, and prepare work for me that has helped to develop my legal and professional skills. Beyond that, many other associates have also invited me to assist their research, involved me in their matters, and encouraged me to contribute wherever possible. These experiences have been incredibly developmental and my time at Baker & Partners has taught me that as well as building a case, being a lawyer involves collaboration, judgement, careful communication, and the ability to adapt to each client’s circumstances.

My month here has strengthened my confidence in pursuing a career in law by allowing me to see first-hand the rewarding and collaborative nature of legal practice. None of this would have been possible without the support of Cherith Fothergill, who alerted me to the opportunity and offered to host me at her home for the duration of my placement. I’m very appreciative of this and of all the support from the Baker & Partners team.

Ana-Carina’s Experience

In my first week at Baker & Partners, I had the opportunity to sit in on a trial. I spent my whole first day reading up on the case and familiarising myself with new concepts and structures. I dedicated the first page of my work journal to new vocabulary I was learning, much of which was Latin. Throughout the work placement, this learning curve ensured I was always being challenged.

The trial was an incredible way to experience first-hand what litigators do in the courtroom, including cross-examination techniques, court procedure, and argumentation. I came to the realisation that trial is very similar in structure and philosophy to Model UN, and looking at it through that lens helped me understand it much more clearly. During breaks and lunch, members of the Baker & Partners team pointed out strategies used by counsel and taught me how to evaluate witnesses and evidence. I was surprised by how often I was asked for my input, and glad that even small observations tied into larger perspectives on the case.

Everyone in the office was welcoming and approachable from day one. I really appreciated that when assigning work, the team took the time to discuss the wider context of the case. Nina Roheman, in particular, really took the time to make sure I understood not just the task itself, but its role in the broader case.

Drafting an affidavit was a daunting task, as I only vaguely knew what an affidavit even was, much less how to professionally put one together. It was tough to figure out, but I am so glad that I was trusted to do so. Although it took some time, I was immensely proud of the work I ultimately produced.

The placement also gave me a much clearer understanding of what lawyers do on a day-to-day basis. I had naturally associated litigation with appearing in court, but I quickly realised that there is a whole lot more that happens behind the scenes. Legal research, reading documents, and drafting client correspondence all play an essential role in preparing a case.

Most importantly, the month I’ve spent at Baker and Partners has given me confidence in my own abilities. It showed me that, even as a student, I could make a valuable contribution when given the opportunity. This is a field and firm where focus, insight, and hard work are highly valued, and everyone’s perspective counts for something.

Working in a team that was welcoming and warm, whilst still being committed to delivering high-quality work, was an amazing introduction to what a career in law can look like. My hands-on experience confirmed that litigation is an area I could see myself pursuing in the future, while also encouraging me to continue exploring different practice areas.

Final Thoughts

Although our placements took place over 4000 miles apart in two very different jurisdictions, it was striking to learn how similar many aspects of our experiences were. Despite working on different cases and learning about distinct legal systems, we were both welcomed as members of our respective teams from the outset and entrusted with meaningful work that challenged us to think critically and develop our confidence.

At the same time, the regional differences made each placement unique. In Jersey, learning about the Island’s distinctive legal traditions, court structure, and customary practices highlighted how deeply law is shaped by local history and culture. Meanwhile, the BVI placement offered insight to a different offshore jurisdiction with its own legal framework and litigation practice. Comparing our experiences reinforced that, while law itself varies between jurisdictions, the core skills of careful analysis, clear communication, collaboration, and judgment remain constant.

Perhaps the greatest takeaway from both placements was that the legal profession extends far beyond the courtroom. Whether drafting documents, preparing correspondence, or observing advocacy in action, we both gained an appreciation of the meticulous work that underpins litigation.

Despite the differing sizes and locations of our offices, our shared experiences demonstrated that across Baker & Partners’ offices, there is a consistent commitment not only to delivering high-quality legal work but also to mentoring and encouraging the next generation of lawyers.

Student Scheme

Our Student Placement Scheme is designed to provide aspiring legal professionals with practical experience in a dynamic and supportive law firm environment. The programme is primarily aimed at students currently studying law, students intending to study law or individuals with a non-law degree who are interested in converting to law.

Learn more about how to apply Student Scheme here.