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Exeter LLM alumni of the Law School can stay in touch with each other in the LLM Exeter Club.
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Alumni share their skills and expertise in the Pathways to Law Programme. Read more.
Meet our Alumni
Our distinguished network of alumni are located across the world. We will continue to update you on alumni activities, achievements and developments throughout these pages.
Being an alumnus of the Law School can mean many things:
- a chance to keep in touch with old friends;
- an opportunity to support the School in its current work;
- a way of letting us and the alumni community know about your successes and achievements.
Shiryn Sayani
Communications Manager (Policy & Campaigns), The Bar Council
My advice to current students and new graduates would be to explore your options – there are really interesting lesser-known roles out there – and reach out to people who are in careers that interest you.
Alex Cisneros
Barrister – No5 Chambers
I studied at the Cornwall Campus. Exeter University shares the campus with Falmouth University and so most of my friends now are in the creative industries having studied film or fine art. Getting that diversity of perspective really set the Cornwall Campus apart from any other university. It made the experience of studying quite a dry subject like law quite interesting
Sarah Turvill
Chair of the University’s Governing Body, Council
Having graduated with a law degree from Exeter, I took my Barrister’s exams at the College of Law and joined global insurance broker Willis as an in-house lawyer in 1978.
I was instrumental in building Willis' European network as well as the Group's operations in China, Latin America, India and other high-growth markets, before rising to become Chief Executive of its international operations in 2001, and Chairman in 2006.
Rob Bray
Partner at Squire Patton Boggs
The reputation of the Law faculty, the university campus and the friendly feel I encountered when visiting encouraged me to study at Exeter. I played on the society football team, meeting some great people who are friends and/or colleagues to this day. The legal training I received was a critical first step in my career – without it I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Louise Edwards
Marketing Director, Michelmores LLP
Take the time to have coffee with as many interesting people as you can – you never know what you might learn, or how that connection may offer an opportunity in the future – either for you, or for them.
Gabrielle Cameron
Senior Consultant, Risk Management & Regulatory Advisory for Financial Services. Ernst & Young.
I really enjoyed studying in Falmouth because Cornwall is so beautiful and there's so much to explore. Being able to study on the beach was perfect in the summer. Also, there was a real sense of community at the campus, and it was great meeting people across a wide range of courses - both from University of Exeter and Falmouth College of Arts.
Rakan Kawar
Senior Associate AS&H Law Firm in co-operation with Clifford Chance.
I was admitted to the Jordanian Bar in 2016 and moved to Saudi Arabia late 2017. I am now a senior associate at a leading law firm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I chose this career because it was very challenging. I enjoy working on big projects and transactions and seeing them come to fruition.
Natasha Bellinger
LLB Law, 2011
Barrister, Magdelen Chambers & Lecturer in Law, University of Exeter.
Never allow your choices to be determined by other people’s versions of success. Work out what you want to do, then go do it. Always do your best, persevere and take advantage of every opportunity presented to you.
Stephen Blackshaw
Partner at Sidley Austin LLP
I wanted to study law at a top university and Exeter offered me the chance to spend a year in Germany studying German law, which made it the choice for me. The reputation of the Law School certainly helped me get my first job at Slaughter & May; the broad legal topics I studied have obviously provided a solid foundation for my subsequent legal practice.
Mario Haxiymeri
Future Trainee Solicitor at Clyde and Co, London and Mena Offices
I chose to study the LLB European for the opportunity to study both English and the French legal systems. I wanted a course that was diverse and challenging, and enjoyed the possibility of switching from one legal system to another. The programme is the perfect course for any aspiring international City solicitor, because English and American law firms are very keen to meet students who can reason, understand and apply simultaneously Common Law and Civil Law concepts in multi-jurisdictional deals brought about by international clients.
Hannah Wilson
Development Associate, Women's Link Worldwide, Madrid
My time studying a Master’s at the Universität des Saarlandes gave me the confidence to work in an international setting and, after spending time working in different countries in Europe and Asia, I was fortunate enough to be offered an internship at Women’s Link Worldwide. When my internship came to an end, I was delighted to be offered the chance to continue working in their Development team.
Erika Federis
I completed my training contract at Foot Anstey in Exeter, during which I found my passion for the wonderful world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Unfortunately, there were no opportunities for me to explore this passion in the South West, so I made the move to London to pursue a career in the space. I am now in-house legal counsel for a leading digital payments company that has a huge cryptocurrency offering, and pleased to say that I now get to work in an area I absolutely love!
David Higgins
Co-Head of Global Financial Investors Group, Freshfields
I chose to study Law at the University of Exeter because of the great reputation of the Law School, not to mention the wonderful campus and city. I really enjoyed the tutorials and small-group teaching; there was also a good focus on work-applicable subjects. The programme provided very good training for me to embark on my law career.
Catherine Hayes
LLB LAW / Double Maitrise en Droit Europeen, 2013
Private Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions; Civil Service
The civil service is full of smart people who want to make a difference. I’ve managed a team in a jobcentre, worked as a Private Secretary to a Minister, worked on policy around NHS targets - it’s fantastically varied.
Alison Pearlman
LLB Law, 2013
Associate,Torys LLP, Toronto, Canada
After graduating, I returned to Canada to complete my Canadian equivalency exams. I was subsequently called to the bar in Ontario and began working as an in-house lawyer in a private company in the field of public private partnerships. I have recently joined Torys LLP
I chose to study the LLB European for the opportunity to study both English and the French legal systems. I wanted a course that was diverse and challenging, and enjoyed the possibility of switching from one legal system to another. The programme is the perfect course for any aspiring international City solicitor, because English and American law firms are very keen to meet students who can reason, understand and apply simultaneously Common Law and Civil Law concepts in multi-jurisdictional deals brought about by international clients.
Jane Player
Partner, Disputes – King & Spalding International LLP
I loved studying in Exeter, it was a good mix of lectures, tutorials and moots. My degree was a great foundation for my legal career; I am currently an International Disputes lawyer at a law firm.
Alice Hutchings
Legal Training Manager, Michelmores
At the time I graduated (1985) there was still a heavy bias in the larger law firms to Oxbridge graduates. However, the fact I was dually qualified in both English and French law gave me an edge on other applicants and I secured a number of offers of training contracts. I spent a few years with a London firm including a stint in their Paris office and following the professional exams I arranged to spend an internship at a leading US firm based in New York.
Paul Dowling
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. 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
Neil Hart
Partner at Thomas Eggar LLP
I chose the University of Exeter because it was a good law school, at a university with a great reputation, in a stunning part of the country. The programme was varied, practical and of good value; I even gained a passion for Revenue Law!
My degree certainly helped to launch my career, the Law School is respected and that is important to prospective employers. It’s also difficult to beat Exeter as a university campus and town.
Peter Baldwin
Partner at Ropes & Gray LLP
Exeter appealed to me because of the excellent course and the range of sporting and cultural opportunities on offer. Reading History combined rich variety with real academic rigour. The course taught me to write in a structured and considered way, which has been invaluable in my professional career.
Christopher Veal
Since joining the Navy I have served overseas in Bahrain and Gibraltar, as well as taking part in UK Carrier Strike (Aircraft carrier operations), sovereignty operations (essentially chasing Russians), and fishery protection. I am now an assistant Legal Officer where I assist in operational law.
Ben Chester Cheong
Since high school, I have always harboured a desire to study law in England because it is the birthplace of the common law system. As a teenager, I revelled in reading John Grisham’s legal thriller novels. I also enjoy debates and I particularly like the fact that lawyers are highly eloquent and have a flair for persuasion. A law degree was a natural choice as I wanted to choose something that taught me the key foundational legal knowledge and was a qualifying degree to practice law in the UK and Singapore.
Mohammad Ismail Usman
A career in law is one of the most empowering careers one can pursue as it is a job that requires you to constantly innovate and change, be someone capable of adapting to the times so that you can help others whether it is through pro bono and giving back to society or helping businesses resolve impasses.
Loved my degree, love my job
How do you land your dream job after university? We spoke to Emma Cross (Law 2014 and MA International and Human Rights Law 2015) who shares her tips and hints to give you the best chance of getting the job you want on graduation. Read more.