Paul Dowling

LB Law with European Study 

Name: Paul Dowling
Programme of study: LB Law with European Study
Year of graduation: 2002
Place of work: Associate Solicitor, International Claims, Leigh Day

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter and what are you doing now?

I worked for a commercial law firm in Spain for a period. I then joined Leigh Day, first as a paralegal, then as a trainee solicitor. I have worked as a solicitor at Leigh Day since January 2009

Why did you choose this career and what do you enjoy most about your work?

I wanted to work in a field of law in which I would have the opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives. I enjoy representing disadvantaged individuals against powerful corporations

What did you enjoy most about your degree programme?

I thoroughly enjoyed my Erasmus year at the University of Deusto in Bilbao, in Spain.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

The campus is a great environment for studying. I enjoyed being close to the countryside and the coast, particularly in the spring and summer.

Why did you chose to study at Exeter?

I visited the campus which I liked very much. The course offered the opportunity to study abroad which appealed to me. The university (and the law department in particular) had a good reputation,

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

In 2016 I completed a Masters in International Economic Law at Birkbeck College, University of London. I have found this to be very useful for the purposes of legal analysis and critical thinking in my casework

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Study hard and try to get a broad range of work experience working with individuals and corporations. It is good to develop an understanding of the interests of both sides in order to be an effective litigator.