A legal career is developing well for south Wales graduate Samantha Cavender after she moved from a supermarket’s photographic department to a law firm.
Now Swansea University law graduate Samantha, aged 22, is focussing on forging a future in the legal profession after being snapped up by Newport-based Keith Evans and Company.
The former Rhymney Comprehensive School student, who completed a post graduate law diploma to add to her degree and three A levels, has secured a coveted training contract with the leading South Wales legal practice.
Samantha, from Merthyr Tydfil, who had worked at Asda part-time since she was 16, revealed how she had battled negativity and prejudice, to land her dream career.
She said: “Many people doubted me and my ability, I was told that I would never make it in law. With some reasons as feeble as my accent or where I lived.
“But for every person that said I couldn’t make it, it pushed me into working harder, increased my self awareness and belief in myself. ‘’
“Keith Evans and Company offering me a training contract has proved that hard work and determination pays off. Whatever you want, if you work hard enough, are determined, believe in yourself and listen to the people that know, you can achieve your goal.”
Samantha said: “This really is a dream come true for me. I always saw my work at Asda, where I’ve been employed in the photo shop and in petrol sales since I was 16, as a stepping stone to becoming a Lawyer. With the help of an Asda colleague I was interviewed and taken on as a temp. by one of the top law firms in Wales. It’s fantastic.
“I know just how hard it is for graduates to land a training contract at a law firm. I’m just so thrilled to have support from such an established and highly regarded law firm as Keith Evans and Company. I am delighted that they have offered me this opportunity and I am determined to be a success for the Practice, my family, my colleagues at KE and myself.”
Samantha is specialising in criminal and commercial based work, using what she learned at college to build a strong reputation for herself as a fully qualified solicitor.
Elliott Evans, Managing Partner at Keith Evans and Company, said: “We were delighted to offer Samantha a training contract. Samantha is a very determined young lady and we believe, possesses the right characteristics for success in what is a very tough and demanding career in the legal profession.”
Keith Evans and Company, Solicitors, established in 1990 has its head office at Clytha Park Road in Newport city centre, and now employs fifty lawyers, legal executives and administration staff in Abergavenny, Cwmbran, Monmouth, Tredegar and Chepstow.