Candice Ogwo shares her first month at BWL Legal

Candice Ogwo, a first-year Senior Paralegal, shares her experiences and thoughts one month into her employment.

My first day at BWL Legal was on 3rd October 2022. Although it was a new environment, I wasn’t too nervous because I was really excited to join BWL. This was partly because I enjoyed my previous conversations with Paul Benson (Chair of the Board and Managing Director – BWL Legal) and Beverley Clarke (Relationship Manager) about the type of work BWL completes on behalf of its clients. Additionally, I also missed working in a legal environment.

During my induction, I was happy to find that Clio is used as the firm’s time management software, as this is a system that I am well-acquainted with from my prior employment in the legal sector. This helped to put me at ease and allowed me to spend more time introducing myself to new colleagues. I enjoyed speaking with them and understanding how their roles fit within the wider Group.

One of my initial goals was to support clients and our wider team from day one. I was slightly anxious that as a Paralegal, I would just be scanning, printing, and copying documents, but this was not the case. I have daily meetings with my supervisor, where I am given significant and meaningful work to do. The variety of work I have been assigned so far has been interesting and diverse. I have assisted in the sale of a high-value property and provided an in-depth research note into Consumer Law and how guarantees work between the buyer and third parties. I am assisting in a very interesting civil litigation case, specifically in analysing disclosure from the opposing side. The case is fascinating and has allowed me to remember the fundamentals of contractual law. I already feel like I’ve contributed positively and learnt so much, even so early in my career at BWL.

I look forward to working on more cases in the future, growing my knowledge in commercial and construction law, and developing the necessary skills to provide an exceptional legal service to BWL’s clients.