Mark Lindley

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Boodle Hatfield LLP

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

After completing my LLB at Exeter in 2005, I went straight onto my Legal Practice Course at (what was then) the College of Law before starting my training contract at the firm then known as Penningtons Solicitors (now Penningtons Manches Cooper). I qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and moved to Boodle Hatfield at the beginning of 2011, where I am now a partner specialising in private wealth disputes.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I knew nothing at all about the practice of law until I started my training contract. At the beginning, therefore, it seemed like an obvious thing to try after completing the degree. What I like the most (and least) is that I am still learning how to do it, and that real life clients have an infinite capacity to generate new and interesting problems.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I joined many but actively participated in few! As a fairly dilettante student I managed a bit of writing for Exeposé, chaired the Law School Student-Staff liaison committee, half-heartedly mooted and became a Academic and Law Representative on the Guild of Students. I was one of the University’s representatives at an NUS conference in that capacity, which I recommend if you want to be put off politics for life.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I remember struggling with Equity and Trusts, which is the area in which I now practise. Otherwise, I have strangely vivid memories of learning about interesting EU cases to do with food and drink.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

It was a great place to learn but also, most importantly, to socialise.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

Primarily because they offered me a place, but also as it was the nicest campus that I visited.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Most lawyers need a certain capacity for absorbing and retaining information. Beyond that, different lawyers bring different skill sets to the job, so I recommend trying out as many things as possible before starting your career to find out what you enjoy the most and what you are good at.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Do try to gain at least some legal work experience, but also as many other things as possible to see what really interests you.

What are your plans for the future?

I will carry on trying to be a lawyer for the foreseeable future.