Benefits of joining your university’s non-law society

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We’re Daniel Shepherd and Sasha Willoughby, heads of non-law for the York University Law Society. We’re delighted to receive the award for the Best society for non-law students at the 2024 Student Law Society Awards, sponsored by BARBRI. This recognition highlights our commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing legal careers. Our society caters to non-law students who aspire to transition into legal careers. The main goal this year has been to demystify the process of entering the legal profession and provide support and opportunities for students from a variety of academic backgrounds.

You can see a list of all this year’s winners via LawCareers.Net’s News.

Proving that non-law degrees aren’t a disadvantage

Much of our success has stemmed from having a community of non-law students come together through our non-law sub-committee. This collective has enabled students to receive support from an inspirational, diverse group of people with shared interests, each transitioning to a career in law from a non-law background. With our sub-committee, we’ve brought together more than 25 students who’ve been enthusiastic to help us plan and take part in events and initiatives throughout the year. Seeing fellow students working towards a career in the legal profession has removed much of the imposter syndrome that many non-law students have suffered. Before joining many of the non-law students felt acutely aware of a perceived disadvantage in their academic background not matching their professional aims.

However, we’ve proven this year that this is far from the case. Many of the sub-committee, or those who've attended our events, have gone on to receive training contracts, vacation schemes, and work experience opportunities and use the experiences and knowledge from our events during applications and interviews. Our members have a broad range of academic interests, which has made the whole process so much fun. The society has given us the chance to meet amazing people who we would not have met otherwise, making it all the more exciting to be witnessing their successes in their legal journey this year. 

Mooting, masterclasses and more

One of the benefits of York non-law is how interconnected it is with the rest of the university’s law society. Non-law students can attend all York Law Society events, and have access to a broad spectrum of opportunities both inside and outside of law. Many non-law students have been able to go on the society’s open days to firms across the country and gain first-hand experience in legal environments. York non-law has also been interconnected with the university’s Bar and Mooting Society. We’ve hosted non-law beginner moots, providing a chance for non-law students to conduct legal research and learn court etiquette in a relaxed and non-judgemental environment. Many attendees have gone on to participate in other university moots with great success. Ensuring opportunities for non-law students are provided in an accessible, comfortable manner, catering for our broad range of student needs and experiences, has been paramount. Encouraging students to take that initial leap into the non-law event circuit has resulted in so many students finding a new confidence, unlocking a stronger sense of self-belief and new, lifelong skill sets. 

Two of our standout events were the non-law masterclasses held in collaboration with The University of Law and BPP University Law School. These masterclasses delved into the various legal career paths and courses available to non-law students. The speakers we invited, Nigel Jamieson from BPP, and Amy Baulcombe and Phyllida Roberts from The University of Law, made the masterclass so special. Their inspiring talks centred on character and believing in oneself. Both speakers discussed the importance of integrity and kindness in legal careers, and reaffirmed that non-law students are not disadvantaged in legal careers.  

Looking ahead

We can’t wait to see what the future holds for York non-law. Sasha will be returning to the role of head of non-law after a successful re-election and will be joined by Chris Stapleton, a member of the sub-committee also elected to the role of head of non-law. We have absolute faith that the positions are in good hands and are excited to see what they bring to the roles. Due to the successes of our sub-committee’s events brochure, and the contacts that we’ve made this year, we have plenty of exciting events lined up for the next academic year in which we’ll hopefully see York non-law grow as much as it’s done this year. 

Daniel Shepherd and Sasha Willoughby are heads of non-law for the York University Law Society in 2023/24.