Eleanor Finlay

Host Organisation: Disability Law Service 2022

Briefly explain your most recent educational background and any work (paid or voluntary) you were doing before you began your Fellowship?

I completed my undergraduate degree in law at the University of Nottingham and afterwards went on to complete my LPC at the University of Law. While completing my LPC, I worked as a paralegal for a firm representing clients who had been detained under the Mental Health Act, and following completion of my LPC, I began work as a public law and human rights paralegal. During this time, I developed a caseload of Court of Protection and judicial review matters. This included working as lead paralegal on complex judicial review cases which were being heard before the Court of Appeal.

Why did you want to apply for a Justice First Fellowship?

I wanted to apply for a Justice First Fellowship position because I have a passion for using the law to make positive changes in people’s lives. Throughout my career, I have worked with a large number of vulnerable people, and these collective experiences have given me a deep understanding into the issues that people can face in our society and importantly, the ambition to help. The Justice First Fellowship presents a unique opportunity to be supported into qualification, as well as proving support and networking opportunities with other like-minded social welfare lawyers.

Complete the following sentence: ‘Outside of my legal interests, I enjoy…’

Outside of my legal interests I enjoy travelling and have just returned from a three-month trip around South-East Asia. On my travels, I visited Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Cambodia and loved learning about the respective cultures and cuisines of each country.
Additionally, I have always had a passion for fundraising and was most recently appointed as co-chair of my firm’s regional charity committee.
In my spare time, I also enjoy designing and sewing clothes and am often found wearing one of my own creations.