Amalea Bourne is currently in her second six of pupillage at Browne Jacobson LLP, a firm taking on cases impacting society's biggest issues. In the latest blog in our employed pupillage series, Amalea shares her experience of working at the firm, the notable cases she has been involved with and why she'd recommend starting your career at the employed Bar.
Why the Bar
I have always been driven to pursue a career at the Bar, but more so in ensuring every individual has the opportunity to be heard. Prior to working at Browne Jacobson, I supported individuals to understand their rights whilst detained under the Mental Health Act and those supported through the Mental Capacity Act. Qualifying as a barrister would allow me to lead on these matters in court, actively advocating for others and contributing for positive change.
Why Browne Jacobson
Browne Jacobson has a separate team of barristers operating a distinct ‘chambers model’ and who are in court daily, with professional clerks, admin support and employees ranging from paralegals to partners.
Prior to pupillage, I was an assistant advocate at Browne Jacobson. This role provided invaluable experiences which I believe I would not have received outside of the firm. I attended civil hearings in the County Court, and also investigated and presented professional discipline hearings on behalf of the Teaching Regulation Agency. Two of my cases were recently heard in the High Court for Judicial Review (Glawdys Leger -v- Secretary of State for Education) and (Aquilina, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Education | [2024] EWHC 1998 (Admin)). The role enabled me to gain essential advocacy experience that set me apart from others applying for pupillage.
Browne Jacobson is recognised as a leading social mobility employer, with one of the firm’s initiative’s being "law needs to reflect the society it serves". This resonates with my own values.
The last 12 months of pupillage and notable cases
Browne Jacobson was the first firm to be recognised as an approved pupillage training provider by the Bar Standards Board in 2010. The barristers' team is also headed by the winner of the 2024 Bar Council Employed Bar Award 'Barrister of the Year in a Law Firm', Fiona Butler. The firm has a 24-month pupillage programme.
I commenced pupillage in March 2024. I have been provided with extensive opportunities to be involved in complex, high profile cases, pushing me outside of my comfort zone and providing solid foundations for my own practice.
In my first six months of shadowing, I was provided invaluable training and shadowing opportunities, including a notable International Women’s Day in 2024, whereby I observed my pupil supervisor in the Royal Courts of Justice.
As a national firm, Browne Jacobson receive instructions on cases of significant importance, and even as a pupil we get exposure to these. I assisted Fiona Butler on an inquest involving terrorism links, heard by the Chief Coroner, and including Counsel to the Inquest and Kings Counsel. My role led to me observing an Mi5 witness providing evidence in the inquest, complete with additional security measures and anonymity.
Once on my feet, I was briefed to act as led junior in a 10-week prison inquest working alongside one of our barrister partners, involving the death of three prisoners and concerns of unlawful killing. The workload was intense but also exceptionally rewarding. I also gained early exposure to case preparation and advocacy from King's Counsel.
Reflection
The Bar Council’s recent publication ‘The life at the employed Bar report’, identifies that employed barristers only made up 18% of the whole Bar, but 85% of employed barristers reported a sense of collaboration and co-operation in the workplace. My career so far within the employed Bar, and specifically Browne Jacobson, echoes this sense of overall satisfaction.
My experience at Browne Jacobson has not only been rewarding, but one where I have been provided with a safe space to develop my interests and practice in areas that I am truly passionate about. I have received supervision from highly experienced barristers and have been welcomed into a team that truly supports individuals’ careers and objectives. Each day is different, offering a unique blend of advocacy and case management. The wider firm further facilitates opportunities to collaborate, celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion and focuses on ensuring everyone’s life experiences are valued and heard. I am now co-delivering firm-wide training on British Sign Language to improve communication in the workplace.
Browne Jacobson have multiple opportunities for work experience, in May 2025 their mini pupillage scheme application opens, showing first hand insight into the employed barristers team. The firm also run yearly ‘fairer access into real experience’ (‘FAIRE’) schemes encouraging younger diverse talent into the profession. The firm offer a virtual work experience programme in commitment to remove barriers to legal experience.
It is evident there are fantastic opportunities for career growth in the employed Bar and Browne Jacobson, with unfaltering support from those around you. I would encourage anyone considering a career as a barrister to consider the employed Bar.