Lydia Fontes

2 weeks ago | legalcheek.com | Lydia Fontes

As the number of non-barristers on the bench falls to its lowest point in a decade, what is holding solicitors back? Solicitors are joining the judiciary in the lowest numbers seen in a generation. In recently published advice, the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) highlighted the ongoing underrepresentation of solicitors within the judiciary and offered guidance for those applying for judicial roles.

2 weeks ago | legalcheek.com | Lydia Fontes

Throws lavish celebrationKim Kardashian has graduated law school after six years — and pulled out all the stops to celebrate. The 44-year-old reality TV star has completed the California Law Office Study Program which allows aspiring lawyers to study law for four years in a law office or judge’s chambers, rather than attending a traditional law school. Kim K began her apprenticeship with a San Francisco law firm back in 2018 and managed to pass the “baby bar” exam in 2021 after four attempts.

2 weeks ago | legalcheek.com | Lydia Fontes

Part of net zero effortsDWF has revealed plans for a carbon removal project — the “DWF Forest” — as part of its efforts to achieve net zero by 2045. In order to achieve this goal, DWF has said it will prioritise a 90% emissions reduction target over the next twenty years. The firm’s residual 10% of emissions will be offset by the eponymous forest, a collaboration with Climate Impact Partners, which the firm hopes will sequester carbon as it matures.

2 weeks ago | legalcheek.com | Lydia Fontes

From legal secretary, to employment lawyer, to SQE senior tutor, Joanne White has seen it all. We sat down with BARBRI’s SQE2 lead to hear her top tips for successWhen she left school at 16, Joanne White had no plans to qualify as a lawyer. Now, with 15 years of experience in practice behind her, she is helping the next generation of students take their first steps into the profession as senior tutor and SQE2 lead at BARBRI.

2 weeks ago | legalcheek.com | Lydia Fontes

Sensitive data of legal aid applicants – including criminal records – downloaded by hackersCyber-attackers accessed and downloaded “a significant amount of personal data” — including criminal records, home addresses and financial data — of legal aid applicants in an attack on the Legal Aid Agency, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed.