Embarking on a career change can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it happens early in your professional journey. In this blog, Mia O'Connor, one of our 2024 Innovation Graduates, shares her personal journey—from her role as a Paralegal Apprentice to joining the Innovation Group. Mia reflects on her experiences, the factors that inspired her to apply for the Graduate Scheme, and what it’s like to be part of a forward-thinking, dynamic team. This post offers a behind-the-scenes look at life within the Innovation Group, showcasing the challenges, opportunities, and wins that come with being part of such a diverse and evolving environment.
From Paralegal Apprentice to Innovation Graduate – My Journey so far
My route into the Innovation and Legal tech industry has been less than traditional, having taken a break from studying after college. I worked in retail and a local dogs home before joining Addleshaw Goddard in 2022 as a Paralegal Apprentice. I always wanted to complete an apprenticeship; experiencing the industry and making connections early has given me a solid foundation for my career. I am in a fortunate position where I am debt free, qualified to practice as a paralegal, and already have 2 years of work experience which have shaped my understanding of how innovation can really drive change within legal teams.
The apprenticeship gave me an insight into real estate transactions and the litigation process. The highlight of my apprenticeship was a 6-month secondment to the Innovation and Legal Technology team, working in Internal Efficiencies. I got involved with trials, research tasks and experienced first-hand the tools available to our fee earning teams. I continued to share my knowledge when I joined the Real Estate Group, providing training and guidance on how to maximise efficiency through legal technology.
In September 2024, I rejoined the Innovation Group as an Innovation Graduate. I knew the benefit of using technology solutions and I wanted to be part of the team driving change.
Navigating a non-traditional career path – why Innovation?
My legal apprenticeship has been fundamental in identifying major pain points that legal teams experience - many of which can be improved through technology implementation. What attracts me to innovation is the ability to deliver services through technology to internal and external clients. The Innovation space offers a dynamic and varied work environment, which suits me well, as I am constantly developing different skills and tackling new challenges. I love problem solving and helping others discover the different tools they can utilise to save time.
My role as an Innovation Graduate
Each day brings new challenges and opportunities and as an Innovation Graduate, we work across 6 teams over the course of the scheme. My first seat was in the Internal Efficiencies team, where I'd previously spent my 6-month secondment. The team has a divisional focus, working with our internal clients to integrate technology into their daily operations. We identify the main issues, assist with testing, training and tool adoption to ensure that fee earners are working as creatively and efficiently as possible.
I am currently in my second seat of the graduate scheme, the Platform Delivery team, which acts as a centre for internal product development. Whilst we aren't directly client facing, we work with the Developer team to build tools and platforms that will enhance the firm's services and clients' experience. There is a lot of cross pillar collaboration within Platform Delivery which allows for a dynamic and varied workstream. Our current focus is on the development of our internal tools including our generative AI tool (AGPT). My role provides me with the creative freedom to suggest ideas and improvements and help bring them to life.
What does a typical day in the life look like?
Whether I am at home or the office, I always start my day with a coffee, checking emails and by making a to do list.
We adopt an agile approach to projects in Platform Delivery and we have bi-weekly sprint planning and design calls which can take up the bulk of my morning. On those days, I like to complete things off my 'quick wins' list or do some research into projects that I am working on. When I have a free morning, I like to focus on the more complex tasks I have on. Recently, I have been working with the Research and Development team to review contracts and explore relationships between them. This research is crucial to the development of some of our tools.
The firm encourages participation in DEI initiatives and personal/professional development sessions which are available. I'm a member of the EncourAGe initiative, which promotes wellbeing in the workplace. We have bi-weekly morning calls where I spend time afterwards writing awareness pieces and liaising with the co-hosts to organise events.
In the office, we eat together as a team and sometimes go out for lunch. This is a great chance to catch up with people, see what they have been working on, and speak to people you may not have seen for a while.
My afternoon tasks vary daily, ranging from conducting extensive testing of our tools and flagging any bugs, to writing standardised, reusable prompts for AGPT. I have recently been working with our Internal Efficiencies team to compare real estate specific AI tools with AGPT. In addition, I spend time creating user stories and writing specifications for existing and planned projects. This work is helpful in exploring how different user groups interact with a tool. At the end of each day, I reflect on what I have achieved and start to think about what the next day looks like.
Thinking of joining us?
I'm proud to say that despite my alternative education background, I'm tackling the challenges of working in legal tech head-on. My experience of working as a paralegal has proved to be extremely valuable, giving me the understanding of AG and legal services more widely than other might not have. For those thinking of applying, what experiences set you apart? What unique skills and ideas can you bring to the table? The team are looking for your authentic self, a genuine interest in innovation and a drive for creativity!
Best of luck with your applications!
