BRM welcomes trainee solicitor duo

Sheffield and Chesterfield law firm BRM has promoted two paralegals to trainee solicitors after they secured places on its early careers programme.

Alec Smith and Emily Froggatt have started two-year training contracts through BRM Futures while studying towards their Solicitors Qualifying Examination.

Alec joined BRM after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with an LLB in 2025 and began a master’s with the University of Law later that year.

He said: “Being a solicitor is the only profession I was ever actually interested in pursuing.

“I’m nervous and excited.

“It’s a new challenge but also a whole new field to learn.

“I’m happy to be supported by such phenomenal lawyers who are so well respected in the local legal community.

“I’ll be learning from the best.”

Emily graduated in law from Newcastle University in 2024 and has worked as a paralegal in BRM’s real estate team since 2025. She will begin her training contract with a seat in dispute resolution.

Emily added: “Studying for the SQE exams while working full time has been a massive challenge, but it is incredibly rewarding.

“It has definitely meant making sacrifices and maintaining a structured study routine, but knowing I will achieve my career goal of becoming a solicitor makes it all worth it.

“I feel excited to start my new role.

“I’ve enjoyed real estate but looking forward to my first seat in dispute resolution and moving to different seats within the firm, as well as joining different teams and getting to know different colleagues better.”

The pair were selected following a competitive application and interview process and will gain experience across up to four areas of law, spanning BRM’s business and personal legal services.

BRM Futures is designed to develop legal talent across Sheffield and Chesterfield, providing routes to qualification through training contracts, CILEx and paralegal roles.

Claire Mayfield-Tulip, director and head of operations in real estate at BRM, added: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Alec into the real estate team for his first training contract seat and he’s already gearing up to hit the ground running as we’re busy.

“Alec has been a great asset to the firm already in his previous role as a paralegal in our employment law team and we’re excited to help him explore different areas of law within BRM to see what he loves the most.

“This marks the beginning of an exciting but challenging journey for Alec towards qualification as a solicitor and achieving his childhood dream.”

Amy Hallam, director and head of employment law at BRM, will mentor Emily during her two-year training contract.

She added: “I’m delighted that Emily has been chosen for one of our trainee solicitor roles.

“At BRM, we’re committed to supporting our junior lawyers, and I’m looking forward to seeing Emily’s development in this role.

“Emily will get to experience different areas of law, whilst supporting our teams and clients.

“It is great to see our trainees grow over the two-year period and mentoring is an important part of that.

“Our Futures programme aids individual development for our junior lawyers as well as the continued growth for the firm.”

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