"It is extremely important that groups who are underrepresented at the Bar are able to be assisted with any mentoring type volunteering to ensure the Bar becomes a more diverse profession. Playing a small part in the wider picture of volunteering helps many to reap the benefits of such opportunities."
Helen Moizer, barrister at No 18 Chambers, speaks to us about the mentoring work that led her to win the Legally Flushed Mentorship Maestro Award and the importance of giving back at the Bar.
What kind of volunteering opportunities have you undertaken, and why did you decide to do this type of volunteering work in particular?
Formally, I have been volunteering and helping with Middle Temple’s Mock Pupillage Scheme, which connects barristers to those with pupillage interviews. This consists of mock interviews with people at various stages in the pupillage process and allows them to practice their interview skills and receive feedback. Informally, I try to help young lawyers and/or budding lawyers out wherever possible. This may be going for a coffee and having a chat about next steps or helping with questions about how to become a barrister and what trajectory will work for them.
At what stage in your career did you first start taking on volunteering opportunities?
The ‘mentoring’ side, if I can even call it that when I feel very junior myself, started as soon as I began pupillage. During my pupillage journey many people helped me, and I wanted to offer that assistance as soon as I could. It was also still fresh in mind as I had just been through the long process of applications, interviews and I was then in a position to see what it was really like on the ground.
How has your volunteering work positively impacted on your career?
When I was a prospective barrister, my experience of the Bar was that everyone was open, friendly and willing to help. I now want to continue this ethos and pay it forward. In turn, such volunteering has shown me the exciting wave of new barristers coming in and reminds me how unique and special this career is.
I was also fortunate to recently have won ‘Mentorship Maestro’, an award from Legally Flushed which recognising a barrister or solicitor who excels in mentoring and supporting women lawyers, fostering their growth and success in the legal field.
What was the most memorable volunteering opportunity you worked on, and why?
I informally began helping someone who I met through a legal charity I worked at. During my pupillage training, I gave her guidance on the application process but unfortunately, she was unsuccessful. I knew that feeling all too well and for her second time applying I had finished pupillage and was able to put in more time to assist. I helped her to go back to the drawing board with her paper applications, making sure they were persuasive and captured her experience well. We then targeted her interview preparation for each chambers and I helped her with mock interviews and any advice in the lead up to her second round interviews. I was so pleased when she was offered pupillage from two esteemed sets and our discussions then centred on the important decision of which set was right for her. It is not always the case that you get to follow someone’s pupillage journey from start to end, so not only was there a feeling of relief, but also of being so delighted for someone after all their hard work paid off.
Do your Chambers support barristers and professionals who want to do volunteering work?
No18 Chambers is very supportive of barristers undertaking volunteering opportunities which can benefit the wider Bar community. Chambers are encouraging of members becoming involved in a wide variety of opportunities that can help others and appreciate the positive benefits.
Why do you think people at the Bar should take on volunteering work outside of traditional pro bono work like advice and representation?
For me, my volunteering has centred on assisting the next cohort of barristers. Pupillage applications and interviews can be confusing for some and involves a specific set of skills that often need to be understood before embarking on such a journey. I had no lawyers in my family, so I attended many pupillage talks, events and individual mentoring sessions from barristers willing to give up their precious time. This was instrumental for me, and I want this to continue for others. It is also extremely important that groups who are underrepresented at the Bar are able to be assisted with any mentoring type volunteering to ensure the Bar becomes a more diverse profession. Playing a small part in the wider picture of volunteering helps many to reap the benefits of such opportunities.
What advice would you give to anyone at the Bar who is unsure about whether to start doing volunteering work?
In the context of mentoring or offering advice to prospective barristers, it is important to remember that a brief 30 minutes of your time can greatly impact someone who needs guidance or advice on the next stage of their career.
What is the most rewarding thing about volunteering work?
It is incredibly rewarding to hear that someone you have helped has received a pupillage offer, or equally gratifying if someone you have spoken to has been able to make a big decision about which direction they wish to take.
Interested in volunteering? Check out our current volunteering opportunities here and sign up here to receive regular updates on volunteering opportunities.
June 2024