We caught up with Hannah Cazaly to learn about her career progression with the firm - work experience while at university through to fully fledged qualified solicitor!

"In October 2017, I was promoted to a paralegal position and in January 2019, I started my training contract. I qualified as a solicitor in July 2020 and I remain in this role today."

Question:

Have you always wanted to be a lawyer?

Answer:

I picked to study law at college and found that it was the only subject I  truly enjoyed. The law is always evolving and changing and that’s what keeps it interesting. From then on I decided I wanted to study law at university and train to be a lawyer.

Question:

What's been your career story so far?

Answer:

I was born and raised in York attending Millthorpe School and then York college. I went on to study Law at Northumbria University which offered the

M Law course. This was a four year course which combined the law degree with an integrated master’s. I graduated from university with first class honours.

During my time at university, I secured work experience at Pryers Solicitors (now Switalskis) in the clinical negligence team in summer 2013. It was from then that I decided I wanted to be a clinical negligence lawyer. I then returned to Pryers for work experience in 2014 and 2015.

After my work experience in 2015, I was offered a position in the new enquiries team for the summer. In 2016, after I graduated from university, I was offered a job in the new enquiries team as a call handler.

In October 2017, I was promoted to a paralegal position and in January 2019, I started my training contract. I qualified as a solicitor in July 2020 and I remain in this role today with Switalskis following integration of the two firms.

Question:

Tell us about your typical day in your medical negligence role

Answer:

I start my day by responding to any emails. I then check my task list and I complete any urgent tasks first. I complete records reviews, draft letters of instruction to experts and review expert reports. I also have cases that are in litigation where deadlines need to be adhered to and documents must be served. I also liaise with clients on a daily basis providing updates and taking instructions.

I enjoy learning about medicine in my role as a lawyer and I enjoy liaising with some of the best medical experts in the country. I also enjoy negotiating settlements with defendants and I believe that when a claim is successful, this is the most rewarding part of my role.

I currently work two days in the office and three days at home and I am happy with this balance. I enjoy going into the office to see my colleagues and I enjoy the case discussions that can take place in the office. Equally, I know my colleagues are at the end of a phone call should I need them when working from home.