Work Experience

We pride ourselves on offering a 'different' type of work experience to people from all walks of life who are genuinely interested in learning more about the work that we do.

We have set out below some comments from people who have previously done work experience with us.

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As an intern from America, the opportunities that I have had at Douglas Silas Solicitors in the past few months have been incredible. I am left with both more knowledge of the SEN field than I could have ever imagined and remarkable stories of times that I will never forget.

On top of all of this, I gained invaluable pieces of advice from Douglas and every member of his staff. One of the most notable things about the firm is its endless dedication to the overall mission of helping children with SEN. I can only hope that one day I will exhibit the same passion, expertise, and enjoyment in my career that I have witnessed here.

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I thoroughly enjoyed the two weeks I spent at Douglas Silas Solicitors.

Everyone was very welcoming and I felt like part of the team from day one. The experience was both interesting and informative. I was given the opportunity to observe and get involved with a wide range of tasks. I particularly wanted to take the opportunity whilst at Douglas Silas Solicitors to learn about the appeal process and the staff kindly took the time to answer my numerous questions!

I have also developed many valuable skills which I am sure will help me next year in my LPC and my future career.

Thanks again for a great two weeks!

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As a ‘mature’ entrant to the law, I have been seeking opportunities for meaningful work experience as an important way of discovering how I should develop my prospective legal career. 

Douglas very kindly offered me the opportunity to spend two weeks with his firm, where I was able to give some support to associate solicitors with preparing legal documentation. I also used my existing drafting skills to review the firm's website. 

This was all very productive activity for me in a very friendly and supportive office environment, and I learned a lot about the law relating to SEN.  I leave with happy memories of my time at Douglas Silas Solicitors.

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"In the six weeks time I have spent with Douglas Silas Solicitors, I have gained invaluable work experience.  From researching special educational needs issues to actively participating in numerous client meetings, Douglas Silas Solicitors has lived up to its reputation as a firm that is keen on ensuring students are given meaningful legal experience.  The firm holds an open door policy.  Staff are extremely friendly and accommodating.  As a niche firm, there is an overwhelming sense of collegiality.  Never once did I feel that I was disturbing staff; they were always willing to answer my questions, no matter how trivial they were!

Douglas Silas is a leading expert in his field and his expertise and passion has transcended to his staff.  Staff are deeply committed to their field, which is an inspiration in itself. 

Whether you are interested in Special Educational Needs law or are hoping to gain legal work experience, I would highly recommend Douglas Silas Solicitors for the quality of work, the team experience, and the firm’s expertise and passion in the field. "

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"The one week I spent with Douglas Silas Solicitors was immensely productive for me. Learning how much effort is put in to make top education for people not as fortunate as others, was a big lesson not to take for granted. The office is a harmonious place, where teamwork and friendliness is the primary ethos. I have picked up research skills and learnt about the many challenges this firm overturns. Mainly I have taken with me the lesson of how accomplishment is achieved through organisation and the makeup of a flourishing law practice."

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"I only spent one week at Douglas Silas solicitors, but in that time I learnt a huge amount; not only about the type of law the firm specialises in but also about the needs that children with disabilities require. It is a very friendly firm where people are more than willing to help and advise you with whatever your need, no matter how trivial. Douglas and his team practice law in a way that shows that their first commitment is to helping families and their children; consequently, spending time here is an inspirational way to start a career in law. I was given serious work to do, but never felt it was too much, as the small, genial environment was always accommodating and comfortable. It was a privilege to be able to spend time in this unique firm."

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"Work experience with Douglas Silas Solicitors is unlike any other work experience I have undertaken. You are made to feel part of the team from the moment you arrive, given tasks that are critical to the smooth running of cases and provided with the opportunity to really grasp the niche area of law in which Douglas practices. For me it proved a fantastic learning experience and confirmed my desire to work in Education law."

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"I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I arrived for my first day at Douglas Silas Solicitors, but I was excited because I knew that I was about to have a completely different experience to any I had had in a law firm before.

Everyone in the office was extremely welcoming and made me feel comfortable and at ease. Over the period of my work experience I had the opportunity to learn many new skills and take on projects which I was able to see through to the end. One of the most useful things I took away from my experience were the transferable skills that I learnt, such as audio typing, research skills and website design.

The website design project that I undertook was one of the highlights of my time at Douglas Silas Solicitors. I learnt how to use the website design programme and the text-to-speech programme and with these skills created a huge number of new pages about types of SEN and SEN terminology. I also created web pages with audio and video links to news reports and documentaries about SEN and made the site more navigable by ensuring that all the relevant pages linked to one another.

On top of my ongoing projects I had the privilege of meeting both clients and representatives of the NAS. These were extremely interesting opportunities and gave me a real insight into the law surrounding SEN.

Overall, my work experience at Douglas Silas Solicitors was challenging, exciting, fulfilling, enlightening and not only what I had hoped it would be, but also significantly more."

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"I spent a three week placement at DSS. I enjoyed working in a close knit environment where everyone had an active role in managing the caseload.

Also, it was easy to be motivated when you could see the difference which a successful decision against the Local Educational Authority made to the parents of the children involved.  

It was an extremely rewarding experience.

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"I spent two weeks completing work experience at Douglas Silas solicitors.  I really enjoyed the placement, which gave me an insight into the workings of a solicitor’s firm and the type of work that Douglas does. 

I was able to proofread documents, check the costings for a case and make up client files.  The firm also gave me the opportunity to sit in on two client interviews, which I really appreciated.  It gave me one of the most direct insights into the way a solicitor deals with clients and communicates important information.

In addition, I worked on the unique website the firm supports.  Searching for information for the site allowed me to access broader knowledge about the field the firm works in.  Additionally, it gave me great satisfaction to help provide this free service to those who could benefit from it greatly.

Finally, and importantly, everyone at the firm was friendly and supportive and really nice to work with.  They took a real interest in my degree and career, giving useful guidance for which I am very grateful.  Working for the firm was an opportunity I really appreciated and one which I feel is sure to help me in the future.

At the moment I am completing my final year of the LLB and hope to study the LPC next year."

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“Everyone at Douglas Silas Solicitors is friendly, welcoming and just great! You feel a part of the team the entire time that you are on work experience and you learn a lot just from listening to the office around you.

I felt that completing the tasks that were given was rewarding, as you know that you are contributing in a sense to the wider work that the firm does.

I could not speak any higher of Douglas Silas Solicitors. Everyone here cares and I know from my own experience that their caring approach means so much and is something really special.”

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"Whilst I was on work experience I was able to research interesting information on a number of SEN conditions. What I do not know about Heller’s Syndrome is not worth knowing!

It was good to think that the information I researched is actually going to be used on the website and that someone may derive some benefit from it.

The office team are very helpful and my advice would be to ask for help, particularly early in your work experience."

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"During my placement, I was given permission to sit in on meetings with clients and read outgoing correspondence including SENDIST Appeals against the provision outlined in a client's  statement of SEN. I was able to increase my knowledge in regards to the  process in  which a child with special needs can obtain a statement from their Local Education Authority and how it was  necessary in some cases to appeal a child’s statement to a SENDIST Appeal in order to obtain adequate provision.

As a result of my experience at Douglas Silas Solicitors I also gained  an understanding of what is needed to take a case to an appeal. My personal highlight was been given the opportunity to meet clients; not only did this help aid my understanding of education law, it also gave me a greater grasp  of the human aspect of the work that the firm does.

From attending the meetings I could see the amount of strain that is put upon the families that are fighting to get adequate provision for their child. By acting on the behalf of children of special needs the firm gives the child a voice in the legal process who otherwise would not be able to put forward their own case.

I have just finished a politics degree and  I am going on to do a law conversion course latter this year, my time at  Douglas Silas Solicitors has reaffirmed my desire to obtain the results necessary to become an  education lawyer. "   

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“I am an undergraduate sixth form student, who wishes to study Law, and so was extremely lucky to get this work experience as most Law firms do not take on undergraduates. As part of the work experience I attended an educational Law seminar, which I found to be incredibly inspirational. The team were welcoming, helpful and, above all, very friendly. They are dedicated individuals who genuinely care about their clients, and it’s this approach which makes them, as a firm stand out. This work experience has inspired me to want to enter the field of educational law.”

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"Thank you very much for a wonderful two weeks, I have had a fantastic time and am very much looking forward to my return for a further two weeks in September."

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"I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience at Douglas Silas Solicitors. Everyone at the firm is so dedicated to the work they do and passionate about helping children with SEN. Their attitude really taught me a lot about dedication to clients.

The team is very welcoming and friendly, and were always ready to explain anything I was unsure about. I felt very included in the work and really enjoyed being part of such a warm environment.

I learnt a huge amount about this area of the law in a short space of time, and  working on the new case management system gave me a real insight into what preparing for a SENDIST appeal involves. I really enjoyed sitting in on a client meeting and case management conference, which allowed me to see the work from the ‘front lines’.

Having just finished law school, spending time at the firm has made me think seriously about going into this area of the law.

Thank you for a great couple of weeks!"

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"Work experience at Douglas Silas Solicitors has been a fantastic opportunity to experience the inner workings of a very successful and equally hard working firm, which has a peerless reputation in the field of SEN Law. During my time here I have been treated as a member of the team and been able to make significant contributions, whilst learning and picking up a multitude of practical skills which will really benefit me in my future career!"

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