THE EMPLOYMENT law team at a Sheffield and Chesterfield legal firm has been strengthened after a former paralegal completed her solicitor qualification.
Jade Taylor joined BRM as a specialist employment paralegal in 2023, in part because of the firm’s track-record of supporting aspiring solicitors in their early careers.
In June 2024, Jade was promoted to the role of a trainee solicitor and, after two years of effort, completed her qualification in June 2026. She now works with clients across a range of industries on all aspects of employment law and HR matters.
Prior to joining BRM, Jade’s career began on a legal helpline team at a prominent national firm based in Sheffield. She then moved to the same firm’s Birmingham office for an employment paralegal role.
After three years in the Midlands, Jade moved back to Sheffield to work at a high street legal firm as a paralegal in litigation and employment, before joining BRM to specialise in employment law.
She said: “I knew I wanted to qualify as a solicitor in employment law when I joined BRM and was very open and honest about this. They offered me a training contract after I had been with the firm for a year and I jumped at the opportunity.”
Jade highlighted the support she received from colleagues as key to her qualifying as a solicitor. “The whole team has been so supportive in giving me the confidence and opportunities to develop my skills as both a paralegal and trainee solicitor. Also in pushing me out of my comfort zone, presenting in public, networking and carrying out independent work confidently – as well as being a longstanding member of the firm’s junior professionals committee.”
Jade also had advice for others following a similar path. She added: “I think most people who are seeking a training contract or SQE trainee position feel the challenges of rejected applications. It’s a process and you have to keep going.
“My experience as a paralegal for four years at various firms, including a year at BRM, put me in a great position when I started my training contract and in qualifying into an area of law I feel confident and comfortable advising clients in.
“Now I have qualified it feels surreal but exciting and something I have worked hard at for a long time.
“I’m now looking forward to building my client relationships independently and continuing to grow my career and experiences as a solicitor at BRM.”
BRM has now launched a structured early career training and development programme, BRM Futures, to support the next generation of legal talent, like Jade.
Through the programme, trainee solicitors spend two years gaining experience across up to four departments via a training contract or SQE trainee route, including real estate, corporate, employment law, residential conveyancing, litigation, contentious probate, and tax, trusts and estates teams.
Amy Hallam is director and head of employment law at BRM, and co-directs the BRM Futures programme. She said: “We’re incredibly proud to see Jade qualify as a solicitor. She has shown real commitment, resilience and enthusiasm throughout her time at BRM, and has been a valued member of the team from day one.
“The BRM Futures programme is designed to give aspiring solicitors the opportunity, support and experience they need to succeed, and Jade is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. We’re delighted she is continuing her career with us and look forward to seeing her develop further.”
Image provided by BRM
