Owen’s First Month at GN Law: Already Making an Impact
It’s hard to believe Owen Sugden has only been with us a month. In his first two weeks of joining the Wills, Trusts & Probate team, he settled in quickly and brought great energy to the department. He’s already been taking on responsibilities such as drafting codicils, supporting on client files, and attending client meetings with colleagues.
Like many paralegals, Owen has found that life in practice is very different to what you learn at university. Real-life cases have given him a much clearer sense of how the law works in practice, and he’s thrown himself into the learning curve with confidence.
Now that Owen has been with GN Law for a month, I sat down with him to talk about how he’s settling in, what he’s achieved so far, and what he’s most excited about for the months ahead.
“Different to what I’ve experienced before”
When I asked Owen how he would sum up his first month, he didn’t hesitate: “It’s different to what I’ve experienced before. I’ve been allowed to be very hands-on early on, which has been great. Everyone here is very close, and it makes me feel safe to open up and have a laugh.”
He also highlighted how helpful the admin day was in those first few weeks, saying it gave him the chance to get to know people quickly and feel part of the team from the start.
A 5-Star Review in his First Month
One of the most rewarding moments for Owen so far has been completing a cancer research will case. Megan opened the file, but Owen was trusted to take it forward and complete it himself, including leading the execution meeting.
“I was told others could sit in with me if I wanted, but I decided to do it solo,” Owen explained. “It was a high level of trust to be given so early on, and it really meant a lot. The client was very happy with the service and even left a 5-star review.”
For a paralegal in his very first month, that kind of client feedback is a standout achievement.
Building Confidence
Owen feels his skills have developed rapidly since joining: “My confidence has definitely grown. I’ve already taken my own client meetings by myself, but I always know I can refer to my teammates if I need to. I’m also doing tasks for others, which helps me understand processes and the standard procedures better. Right now, I’ve got two cases I’m running independently, and I’ll be taking on more during Will Aid Month.”
Highlights Outside the Files
When it comes to highlights beyond the casework, Owen pointed to the social side of firm life: “Going out for lunch as a team has been great, it’s nice to do that on special occasions. We went out for Sam’s birthday and also with the COP department. Those kinds of things really help you get to know the firm better.”
Looking Ahead
Owen is ambitious and already looking to the future. “Within the department, I’m hoping to progress to a traineeship and eventually specialise with further study after I qualify. Across the firm more generally, I’d really like to get involved in things like the Middlesex University fair, speaking at my old uni, and also joining in with charity runs and social events.”
Owen has really hit the ground running, earning a 5-star review in your first month isn’t something many paralegals achieve. We’re excited to see what the next few months hold for him.
