Social mobility stories: Claire Weaver
As part of Social Mobility Day, we’re sharing “social mobility stories” – a series of conversations with colleagues across the firm, exploring the different paths people have taken into the profession.
Each story offers a personal perspective on the challenges, opportunities and moments that have shaped their careers, and highlights that there is no single route into law.
Find out more about our approach to social mobility and inclusion on our culture page.
What’s your story, how did you find your way to where you are now?
My background is state comprehensive, which I left at 16 and went to an adult education college instead as I stubbornly thought I’d study Spanish from scratch to A level in 2 years. I was learning alongside retired people taking Spanish as a recreational activity! I passed all 3 of my A-levels but didn’t get the grades I needed for my university choices – so I went to Birmingham Polytechnic to do a law degree through clearing.
My intake was the first year that Birmingham Polytechnic ran a law degree – we received no advice on future careers or the need to apply for training contracts (articled clerk back in the day!). I was late applying for the Law Society Finals but managed to get a place at Chester College of Law as studying there was not a popular choice. There I discovered that my peers all had offers for training contracts – all the big firms in London recruited early and I had missed that boat. So I started the long, arduous journey of applying to small firms and eventually secured articles with Davis Frankel and Mead – a 4 partner firm in the West End on the minimum wage for articled clerks of £6,400 p.a.
Was there a moment, person, or opportunity that changed what you thought was possible for you?
One year into my articles, I bumped into a fellow student from Chester College of Law. She was with a large firm in the West End and they were recruiting for additional articled clerks. She remembered that I had achieved First Class Honours in my Law Society Finals and assured me that her firm would be keen to have me. She arranged an interview and they duly offered me a transfer of articles on a salary of £11,400. I didn’t transfer my articles in the end as my current senior partner guilt trapped me into staying with the firm – and did in fact increase my salary to £12,000! My fellow student from Chester gave me the confidence to believe in myself and my worth and upon qualification, I applied to other firms and took an NQ position with Frere Cholmeley – on a salary of £25,000 p.a – which at the time was riches beyond my dreams!
What do you wish you’d known earlier in your career?
I wish there had been mentor programmes so that someone could guide me through etiquette at functions and how to behave in a fancy restaurant. When your experience of eating out is the Berni steakhouse once a year on your birthday, then you feel very out of sorts when taking a client to an upscale restaurant, especially around how to order wine.
Why do you believe sharing personal stories matters when we talk about social mobility?
It’s easy to assume that everyone who is in positions you might aspire to has come from the best schools, the best universities and has a family background where mixing with people of status or with money comes naturally. It’s helpful to know that you can succeed without the traditional background.
