Lauren Hicks

Lauren, 26, is a Commercial and Intellectual Property Solicitor at Brabners, working across the firm’s sports and technology sectors. Her role involves advising clients on commercial agreements, with no two days the same, one of the reasons she chose this specialism. 

Lauren, who graduated in 2020 with LLB (Hons) Law, completed her training contract at Gateley Legal, including a six-month secondment. She credits attending a Gateley Legal negotiation competition while at Edge Hill as a key catalyst for securing that opportunity, having already built connections through the event. 

She now attends industry events as a professional and often reconnects with people she first met as a student, an experience she describes as incredibly rewarding. 

Lauren chose to study Law at Edge Hill University after being drawn to the campus, the welcoming staff she met during open days, and the smaller class sizes that offered a more personal learning experience. From the outset, she felt Edge Hill would provide the right environment to support her academic ambitions while also helping her develop the practical skills needed for a legal career. 

One of Lauren’s favourite aspects of her degree was the breadth of opportunities available beyond the classroom. 

Lauren said: “The opportunities I had to attend events, participate in competitions and develop my networking skills were instrumental in shaping my career.” 

Lauren identifies three key skills developed during her time at Edge Hill: 

• Networking skills, gained through attending professional events and learning how to confidently engage with new people 

• Negotiation skills, developed through internal and external competitions, which proved invaluable during job interviews and in practice 

• Confidence in learning, supported by varied teaching styles that allowed her to adapt her learning approach, skills she continues to use as a solicitor 

Edge Hill actively encouraged her to attend networking events and competitions, many of which were made accessible through the Student Opportunity Fund, support Lauren says removed financial barriers and opened doors that might otherwise have been closed. 

Lauren commented: “Getting involved in extracurricular activities, whether that’s negotiation and mooting competitions, networking events or summer schools, is what really helps you stand out. You wouldn’t bake a cake without decorating it, so don’t get your degree without developing additional skills.” 

She also praises the Careers Team for ongoing support from her first year onwards, helping her build confidence, refine applications, and prepare for the next steps. 

Lauren describes her overall student experience at Edge Hill as “amazing,” crediting the University’s culture, staff, and flexible learning approaches. A particular highlight was studying sports law modules, which sparked a long-standing passion for the sector. Attending sports law events through these modules allowed her to build an early professional network, connections she still draws upon today. 

After receiving a 2:2 in her first year, Lauren went on to graduate with a First and achieved the third-highest academic performance in her year, emphasising the importance of the right support, opportunities and resilience proving that early setbacks do not define long-term success. 

Lauren served as Education Director for the Manchester Trainee Solicitor Group, helping students and trainees with applications and career development, and hopes to continue giving back throughout her career. 

Looking ahead, her goals are to remain passionate about her work, enjoy her career, and continue supporting others who also entered the profession without existing contacts or a clear roadmap. 

Lauren is grateful for the role Edge Hill has played in her journey: “Edge Hill helped shape me into the lawyer I am today. I’ll always remember that.” 

She hopes to return to campus in the future to share her experiences and support the next generation of Edge Hill law students.