Back Back

Law graduates courting successful legal careers gather for a reunion

01/12/2022

Over 50 University of Wolverhampton graduates attended a Law Alumni Reunion held at the University’s Law School recently. 

The event saw graduates who had studied at the University and former Polytechnic, some over 30 years’ ago, gather together to celebrate their successes and achievements in the Law and Legal professions and to network with current students as well as reminiscing with staff who taught them. 

The evening event included key speakers covering the history of the University Law School, its research achievements and two high profile alumni speaking about their inspirational career and life journeys. 

Other alumni from around the world, including Australia, Nigeria, Cyprus, Hong Kong, as well as from the UK, sent messages of support in a commemorative round-up video which focused on the diverse careers that were on offer for Law graduates. 

Professor Clare Schofield, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences at the University, said: “We were so pleased to welcome everyone back at this special reunion.  Our students are at the heart of everything we do and this has been an ideal opportunity for our current students to network with past students as well as our graduates reuniting with staff who taught them. We have also launched our new Law LinkedIn Alumni group and hope that the memberships brings extensive benefits to our ever-growing Law community.” 

Professor Sukhninder Panesar, Head of the Law School at the University, said: “I am privileged to lead this School where we have been teaching Law for over 50 years.  Our first cohort graduated in 1978 and the School is built on its rich history.  We are, in particular, proud of our diversity and inclusivity and we are looking forward to ensuring this is continually progressing in our clinical based legal education.” 

Vic Younis, now Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at Wall James Chappell, graduated in 2014 with an LLB Law degree and is the first Global Majority partner at the company where he works now.  He said: “I really wanted a First Class Honours degree and wanted to be one of the best students this University ever had. I worked part time in retail while I was studying and I owe my success to my fantastic lecturers.  I’ve enjoyed an amazing career, working in London for a while before joining the Crown Prosecution Service. I’m now one of the first Global Majority partners in a company that goes back to the 1800s and I’m representing people globally.  I wouldn’t have achieved this without the University and I make a real difference to people’s lives – who would ever have thought that?” 

Hayley Firman, now Head of Prosecution at the RSPCA and working on some high-profile cases of animal mistreatment and abuse, recently cited as Lawyer of the Week in The Times, graduated with a Law degree in 1987.  She said: “I wasn’t a particularly outstanding student and didn’t get great grades but I had wanted to be a lawyer since I was 12.  I’ve had an extensive legal career, worked locally at a Law firm, worked as a Barrister with the Crown Prosecution Service and performed a role as a High Court Advocate. Studying at this University opened the door for me to have a wonderful life.” 

Watch more Law Alumni success stories on our ‘Where Are They Now?’ video on YouTube. 

Anyone looking to study at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.  Specific information about courses in the Law School can be found on the website. 

Law graduates can join the new networking group on LinkedIn. 

Graduates are encouraged to keep in touch with the Alumni team and take advantage of a range of benefits and support on offer to them including a discount for Postgraduate study and opportunities to benefit from mentoring, volunteering and career advice.   

Picture caption Vic Younis and Hayley Firman.

ENDS 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

Share this release

Related Stories