LawFest 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation of Legal Professionals

The University of Buckingham Law School was delighted to host LawFest 2026, welcoming students from surrounding schools for a dynamic and engaging introduction to careers in law.

The event brought together students, legal professionals, academics, and support teams for a day of networking, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and opportunities to learn more about the legal profession. Attendees had the chance to hear directly from industry representatives, gain insights into career pathways, and explore the diverse opportunities available within the legal sector.

We were pleased to welcome representatives from several leading law organisations, including: Dentons, Travers Smith, BP Collins, Osborne Morris & Morgan, Inner Temple, Milton Keynes City council, Machins, Elite Law Solicitors, and House Rules.

The event commenced with a welcome address from the Vice Chancellor, David Cole, delivered during the University’s 50th anniversary year. Reflecting on the University’s history as a pioneer of the 2-year accelerated degree programme, David noted that the students attending LawFest were themselves pioneers, standing on the threshold of their own professional journeys and future careers.

Interactive breakout sessions with Travers Smith delivered by Maninda Singh and Ellie Watson explored the different routes into the legal profession, including the key differences between training contracts and solicitor apprenticeships. Students were also given practical guidance on how to research law firms effectively, supported by a useful template and research guide to help them evaluate potential employers and career opportunities.

Hannah Binymin of House Rules delivered an insightful presentation highlighting the role it plays within the inhouse legal sector. Students learned about the differences between working in-house and as a private client lawyer, gaining a clearer understanding of the opportunities available within each career path. The session was brought to life using podcast clips and interactive discussion, helping students engage with real experiences.

A co-hosted breakout session led by Tasmyn Brittlebank, Partner at Dentons, alongside Laura Everitt, Director and Head of MLRO, Kalim Akhtar, Solicitor, and Anna-Marie Spears, Paralegal from Elite Law Solicitors presented an engaging breakout session where students explored frequently asked questions about both firms, common myths surrounding careers in law, and the wide range of pathways into the profession.

In the Vinson Foyer students had the opportunity to network with lawyers, HR professionals, trainee solicitors and paralegals and gather valuable career advice.

LawFest continues to be a tremendous success, with students demonstrating exceptional enthusiasm and engagement throughout the day. Feedback from attendees and stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the value of connecting students with professionals from across the legal industry.

A special thank you goes to all our visiting law firms, speakers, volunteers, first aiders, facilities teams, and University staff who contributed their time and expertise to make the event possible. Your support ensured that LawFest ran smoothly and provided an inspiring experience for everyone involved.

We look forward to building on this success and welcoming even more students and legal professionals to future LawFest events.