Gaining a first class honours degree from the University of Wolverhampton was the launch pad for an exciting and successful career in law for Luke Daniels. The talented 30-year-old has gone on to build on his excellent degree result and was recently named Birmingham Law Society Assistant Solicitor of the Year.

Luke graduated from the LLB (Hons) course in 2000. He says he had always wanted to pursue a career in law and studying at the School of Legal Studies was a vital step in achieving his goal. He has also maintained a strong link with the University after graduating. Luke says: “I have always been determined to pursue a career in the law, and my time at the School of Legal Studies was an important first step. It was a great start and the lecturers were very supportive and knowledgeable. I have kept in touch with many of them since I graduated.”

Luke’s success was recently recognised by the Birmingham Law Society who named him as the Assistant Solicitor of the Year.

In the same year as graduating, Luke started his career with the Birmingham office of Irwin Mitchell, a leading firm of Solicitors. He now specialises in a new and developing area of the law, clinical negligence and social services negligence. This involves working with patients who have been the victim of medical accidents. In the social services work, he acts on behalf of young children who have suffered many years of neglect and abuse.

Luke, who is one of the leading solicitors in the country working in this field, says: “I wanted to be able to put my law training and knowledge to good, practical use. I find supporting people who have been through some really terrible experiences and helping them put their lives back together really rewarding.”

Luke’s success was recently recognised by the Birmingham Law Society who named him as the Assistant Solicitor of the Year. Luke says he felt ‘honoured’ to receive the accolade. He has also recently been promoted to an Associate at Irwin Mitchell.

Looking back on his times as a student, Luke remembers it being hard work but says it was worth it.

“Law is not an easy subject and there were times when the work was tough, but everyone was really helpful and it really was a rewarding few years. Being a law student at the University of Wolverhampton continued to fuel my interest in a legal career, and the cliché really is true, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the University.”

For more information about the School of Legal Studies, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/sls