Q&A with Ita McConville AND Léon Figuères, Year 3 LLB Law Students at The University of Manchester

In November 2025, we had the pleasure of welcoming two law students, Ita McConville and Léon Figuères, from the University of Manchester, for a work experience at Minster Law.

Through a thoughtfully designed itinerary across various departments, including client relations, fast track, intermediate track, serious injury, and corporate communications, we offered them a real-world understanding of how a personal injury law firm supports its clients every day.

“At Minster, we’re committed to fostering the next generation of legal talent. By providing law students with hands-on experiences in a real-world environment, we are reinforcing our dedication to nurturing young talents and also promoting the personal injury law as a purposeful and rewarding career path.” Joanne Peacock, Director of Legal Services, said.

We also took the opportunity to interview them about their work experience.

1. How would you describe your work experience with us?

Ita: It has given me incredible insight into personal injury law and the inner workings of a leading specialist firm. I thoroughly enjoyed being exposed to the many layers of the business- from client interaction through onboarding calls, to internal initiative meetings, screening and selecting medical experts, and estimating the value of claims.

I also had the opportunity to complete practical tasks such as drafting locus reports and conducting and presenting an independent research project on fatal accident claims, which I then presented to the team. Developing these legal skills within the context of a real working environment has helped me better envision myself in a career in law.

Beyond the work itself, I can only praise the culture of the firm. Every person I met with this week I admired not only for their legal expertise, but also for their genuine warmth and passion for what they do. For many, working in personal injury was rewarding not just as a demanding area of law but also one which has meaningful impact on the lives of claimants.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the week was building connections with people across different roles, learning about their career paths, and reflecting on what might matter to me in terms of my own future career.

Léon: This week at Minster Law has been a memorable and valuable experience. Our well-structured timetable has allowed us to gain insight into all the elements how a personal injury firm operates.

From the very first day, everyone has been so welcoming and took their time to explain their roles and answer all of our many questions about personal injury and what a career in the legal world entails.

I’ve gained a real world understanding of how a law firm operates and how paralegals, trainees, and solicitors work together to support their clients. It’s been inspiring to see how much dedication and care goes into every single case from start to finish.

Every person I met with this week I admired not only for their legal expertise, but also for their genuine warmth and passion for what they do. — Ita McConville

2. What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your time at Minister Law?

Ita: What stood out most to me was how the different layers of the firm work together to maintain excellence across legal practice, business operations, and client care. I gained an understanding of:

• the lifecycle of a case- from initial contact to settlement
• the challenges specific to each track and type of claim
• the financial and operational mechanics behind a successful law firm- how cases are funded, revenue generated and workload is managed across departments

This holistic introduction to the business side of law has deepened my understanding of what it takes to deliver high-quality services for clients.

Léon: The most valuable thing I’ve learnt is how teamwork and communication are essential in the legal profession and how beneficial a cohesive and friendly work environment can be.

I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the personal injury sector and how each person’s contribution helps achieve the best possible care for clients. Interacting and hearing from different teams about their career paths and daily responsibilities has given me a clearer picture of what a future in law could look like.

3. In what ways has this experience influenced your future goals or career ambitions?

Ita: Overall, I appreciated that Minster combines legal excellence with a strong sense of purpose and human connection. This experience has helped me learn more about myself and refined my outlook on what the right career and working environment may look like for me.

Léon: This experience has definitely strengthened my ambition to work in the field of law. Spending time with such knowledgeable and experienced professionals has motivated me to continue developing my skills and to pursue a legal career with even greater confidence. I’m thoroughly excited for the years ahead!

Spending time with such knowledgeable and experienced professionals has motivated me to continue developing my skills and to pursue a legal career with even greater confidence. — Léon Figuères