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From Diamond Sales to Legal Tales: The Sale That Shaped My Legal Career.
Shannon Hornigold talks to Legal Women UK about her journey from Retail to Legal.
I never anticipated that my retail job would pave the way to a successful legal career at a prestigious, world leading FTSE 100 business.
Like many aspiring lawyers, my interest in law began with criminal law, no doubt fuelled by the captivating stories my grandfather shared from his role as Senior Officer at Long Lartin Prison. These stories inspired me to pursue a legal career with the aim of creating meaningful impact.
Despite my desire to pursue a legal career, I felt constrained by societal expectations regarding education. While higher education seemed essential, I believed that gaining work experience, legal or otherwise, was crucial for career development. Consequently, I decided to skip A-Levels and self-fund a law diploma while working at a high street jewellery store. Having worked in a restaurant since the age of 13, the retail environment was familiar to me, and I began to understand the importance of effective communications with people from diverse backgrounds and the need to provide the very best consumer experience for all customers. These experiences taught me invaluable lessons and allowed me to continue my legal education at the same time.
By the time my peers were finishing sixth form, I was uncertain about how to advance my career, doubting my chances of university admission without A-Levels. Nevertheless, I applied and was thrilled to receive an offer. I pursued my degree at the University of Gloucestershire, graduating in 2023. During my first year, I joined a small criminal defence firm, where I gained some excellent temporary experience. Throughout the rest of my university years, I continued working in the jewellery industry at a high-end jewellers in Montpellier, Cheltenham.
I would never have imagined that my small retail job would significantly change the course of my career, and my life. During my second year of university, I unexpectedly found my way into the legal career I had always dreamed of. In 2022, I assisted a customer searching for some special diamond earrings. As we chatted about our lives, I mentioned that I was studying law at university. To my surprise, the lady revealed that she was General Counsel for Compass Group UK & Ireland, the world leading contract catering and facilities management service provider. After discussing the legal industry, she graciously offered me an opportunity for some in-house work experience in her team, a rare and valuable chance for any aspiring lawyer.
I was both excited and nervous about my work experience, eager to transform this unexpected opportunity into a career. Arriving at the Birmingham office, I was ready to dive in and learn. The in-house legal environment was entirely new to me, I learned about the business, worked with an incredible team, and had the chance to review substantial contracts, receiving valuable feedback on my performance. The entire experience was eye-opening, revealing the vast scope of the legal industry beyond what I had perceived. After my work experience, I stayed in touch with the team, hoping to join them one day.
I received a WhatsApp message unexpectedly: "Are you still interested in a role within my team?". To say I was excited would be an understatement. I was offered a paralegal position while finishing my university studies, which would then transition into a training contract when I was ready. From job fairs, countless rejections, and discussions with peers, I knew that securing a training contract straight out of university was incredibly rare and unlikely for most graduates. I couldn’t believe it!
I left my position at the jewellers in March 2023, ready to take the leap into my new life. Little did I know just how phenomenal the next two years would be. I spent months learning the intricacies of the business, meeting new people, and reviewing what felt like hundreds of contracts. Like many, and especially being surrounded by exceptional lawyers, I had insecurities about meeting the industry's high standards.
I enrolled onto the Legal Practice Course (part time basis) which I undertook on weekends while continuing to work full-time. I knew balancing work and part-time education would be challenging, but in hindsight, I wouldn't have done it any differently.
Two years later, I am fully integrated into the team with my own role in the procurement side of the business. I have been able to obtain the very best training from working with such a vast legal team which supports a wide scope of sectors including education, business and industry, sports leisure and entertainment and the armed forces. As I approach the final six months of my training contract and the last few months of my Legal Practice Course, I reflect on this remarkable journey.
My advice to aspiring lawyers is, no matter how many rejection emails you receive, remain persistent. You never know when an opportunity will arise. After all, I traded diamonds for degrees.
Shannon Hornigold
Trainee Solicitor, Compass Group UK & Ireland
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-hornigold-923872245/
March 2025