Jack Ashurst

Experience

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  LAWSON & THOMPSON SOLICITORS LLP

  Jun 2022 - Jul 2022

  Shadowing a Solicitor

  Throughout my GCSEs I was interested in a career in law. In order to explore this career further, I made a successful application to a local employment solicitor’s firm to spend a week of work experience there. However, due to the covid-19 pandemic and subsequent company policy, I was unable to attend. Despite this, I was proactive in seeking out opportunities and was eventually successful in securing an opportunity to experience a week of work with a solicitor advocate. It was inspiring to see the law applied in practice this week. I had learned criminal law during my A level in law and it was especially interesting to see this being applied by the courts. The aspect which I found especially interesting was the pre-trial preparatory work, this is similar to the work which a litigation solicitor would be responsible for. This role, combined with my later experience at university, confirmed my ambition to become a litigation solicitor. Show less

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  Places Leisure

  Feb 2023 - now

  Swimming Teacher

  This employment began with 50 hours of volunteering which gave me the opportunity to benefit the local community. My role involved a great deal of responsibility as I was responsible for planning and risk assessing my own lessons as well as an element of customer service while speaking to parents and other customers of the leisure centre. I was responsible for delivering a variety of lessons including groups of up to 30 swimmers during school swimming lessons or 1-1s with both adults and children. Due to the varied nature of this role, I developed excellent oral communication skills. I also worked closely with individuals with SEND characteristics and had specific training around this subject. This employment was balanced with achieving excellent grades which demonstrates my time management skills. Show less

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  Swim Now UK

  May 2024 - Oct 2024

  Swimming Teacher

  During this employment, I was tasked with planning and delivering bespoke and individualised lesson plans for clients. I was directly responsible for client communication, liaising with clients to provide regular updates on a weekly basis. This regular communication was reinforced with personalised communication during lessons, using verbal and non-verbal communication to provide high quality lessons on a 1-1 or 2-1 basis.Clients received a taster lesson prior to beginning a plan with the company. In order to ensure a high conversion rate, a successful taster lesson must effectively pitch how I, as the teacher, would help the client to reach their goals and, demonstrate the high level of service through the quality of teaching. This gives me valuable experience in crucial competencies for a solicitor, the ability to both effectively pitch and then follow through on this through providing an excellent level of service. This can be demonstrated through the fact that I had a 76.92% client retention rate, the third highest in the nation-wide company with teachers across forty sites. This was significantly above the average of 53%.This role was also unique due to the fact that it gave me the initiative to create my own social media in order to promote my lessons and the company as a whole. This, combined with my previous social media training, is evidence of my ability to utilise newly developed technology, which, as law firms continue to adapt, is likely to be a crucial competency. Show less

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  Ashurst

  Jun 2024 - Jun 2024

  Ashurst First Year Virtual Insight Day
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  Thomson Reuters

  Oct 2024 - now

  Thomson Reuters Student Representative

  Following a competitive application process, I was selected to become the Thomson Reuters student representative for Durham University for 2024/25. This role involves presenting to students to help guide students in how to effectively use the database as well as providing regular 1-1 support to students across the Law School. I worked closely with key individuals across law school to provide the highest level of support possible.I was responsible for delivering a fifty-minute presentation on how to use the database effectively to a crowd of 350 first year students which demonstrates the efficiency of my oral communication skills. Show less

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  Durham Law School

  Oct 2024 - now

  • Durham Law School Alumni Association Student Reporter

    Jan 2025 - now

  • Advanced Issues in Public Law Module Representative

    Oct 2024 - now
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  Dere Street Barristers

  Nov 2024 - Nov 2024

  Mini-Pupillage

  I had the opportunity to spend three days shadowing Lindsay Webster, a leading family barrister in the North East.This has given me invaluable insight into a wide range of work at the Bar including sitting in client conferences, listening to full hearings with judgment and numerous case management hearings.

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  Enterprise Chambers

  Feb 2025 - Feb 2025

  Mini-Pupillage

  Two-day Mini-Pupillage which took place in a leading commercial chancery set. On day 1 I drafted an advice piece relating to the application of the CPR in relation to a strike out application. On day 2 I drafted an opinion piece relating to a potential claim under the Inheritance Act 1976.

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  HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)

  Mar 2025 - Mar 2025

  Judicial Marshalling

  I witnessed a two-day hearing in the Chancery Division of the Business and Property Courts with HHJ Davis-White KC. The Case concerned an attempted removal of a trustee arising out of a breach of numerous duties under the Trustee Act 2000.