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Legal eagles specially recognised

Two up and coming legal eagles have been specially recognised by a Coventry law firm.

Coventry University’s best performing Law student Melissa Montford, 22, was awarded £250 by Band Hatton Button to help kick start her career as a solicitor.

Melissa beat off 160 other students on her course to win the prize, graduating with the highest score in her year to achieve a first class degree with honours.

Over the past four years Melissa has studied law across 13 different subjects, as well as a year studying abroad in Lyon, France.

Melissa, from Maidstone, Kent, said: “I knew I’d won a prize but didn’t know what it was until graduation day, so I was over the moon to receive this cheque.

“I’ve managed to get my first step onto the career ladder as an intern at American Express to get more practical experience of law across different subjects, which is both really exciting and challenging at the same time, so the money will definitely go to good use.”

Third year Coventry University law student Shanice Begum, 20, was the best performing student in a property law exam, scoring a first, and will go on to gain six months’ work experience at Band Hatton Button while continuing with her studies.

Natalie Ormerod, Head of HR at Band Hatton Button, added: “Five of our lawyers studied at Coventry Law School, so we know just how important it is to support the next generation of talent that’s on our doorstep.

“This is the first time we have set this initiative up with Coventry University, and it is really a way of us giving something back to the community that we serve.”

Dr Gary Betts, Associate Head of Law at Coventry University, commented: “Melissa and Shanice are worthy winners of these prizes, and both of them have the drive, talent and determination to go on and achieve great things.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .