Joe
Shiells
Email: Joeshiells@blueyonder.co.uk
EDUCATION
A2 Levels Gosforth High School
Biology - (A) Sep 2008- Aug 2009
Chemistry - (B)
History - (A)
G.C.S.E Gosforth High School
Biology -(A*) Sep 2005- Aug 2007
Physics -(A*)
History -(A*)
Maths -(A*)
Chemistry -(A)
English lit -(A)
English Lang -(A)
Geography -(A)
French -(A)
Statistics -(A)
Spanish -(B)
EXPERIENCE
North Shields City Council
Spending the week in the law department of the north shields city council was hugely beneficial. Working and shadowing trained professionals for an entire week gave me an appreciation of the skills needed to conduct yourself in the field of law. Diligence, hard work, adaptability and the ability to work as both an individual and part of a team. These qualities I have strived to improve over the past 5 years in order to lend myself to a career in the law.
Akzo Nobel-Gateshead
In 2009 I had the pleasure of joining Nigel Paton the lead council of ICI paints for a day. Although I was there for only a limited time the experience of seeing how the law works in relation to big business was invaluable. Mr Paton also impressed onto me the international aspects of the law and the need to liaise with different jurisdictions around the world to accomplish even the smallest objectives.
Newcastle Employment Tribunal 2009
During my gap year between school and university I underwent 3 months of employment at the Newcastle Tribunal working as a legal secretary. This put me into close proximity with full time legal secretaries and circuit judges giving me a keen insight into what working in a legal profession could be like. Furthermore my work involved reading specific case files, which has allowed me to understand the law on a more personal level.
St Oswald’s Hospice
- Ward Helper 2008-2009
During my years in 6th form I consistently volunteered at my local care home helping deliver food and wash dishes. Although these tasks seem mundane the experience of having to converse with such a diverse set of people in often trying circumstances has given me an ability to communicate and listen that could be prove vital in any area of work.
The Park Medical Group
- Data Summariser July 2009-2011
My time at the park medical group was hugely beneficial to me. A patients medical records are invaluable to any doctor and summarising them has given me a unique attention to detail that would be helpful in any workplace.
Student Representative for law
HousingAnywhere representative for Leicester
Football secretary for ULMHC
Legal Advice Clinician
INTERESTS
Violin- grade 5
Saxophone-grade 3
Studying and learning to play musical instruments to any standard takes dedication and resolve. The grades I have achieved I hope prove that I strive for the best and put both time and effort into everything I do.
Leicester University Mixed Hockey-consistent fist team member
I have been playing hockey since I turned 16 and upon arriving at Leicester University I was placed straight into the first team and have since cemented my place, playing in two varsity squads in three years. Field hockey is a team sport, and although the drive to improve your own personal skills is crucial, the ability to work as a team while communicating with the players around you is paramount. I feel in my 6 years as a city, county and university hockey player I have succeeded in acquiring both.
Level 1 Hockey Umpire
The ability to command authority is what first comes to mind when looking at a hockey umpire and this is undoubtedly true. However more importantly in some cases is being able to control your teams without resorting to authoritarian methods. Working as an umpire has given me a keen appreciation for man management and the skills needed to control yet not alienate individuals. With only two umpires in any game communicating with your fellow referee is crucial and umpiring has only furthered my ability to work in a team regardless of its size.
University of Leicester Debating Quarter Finalists
The adversarial system operated in the UK has lead to the art of arguing becoming a vital skill in any lawyer’s arsenal. Debating not only teaches one to think quickly but provides an arena whereby its possible to learn to present your ideas in an organised and compelling manner. I have managed to hone these skills through debating and they have proven incredibly useful during university, as I am sure they will continue to do so in working life.
University of Leicester Client Interviewing Semi Finalists
Client interviewing is centered on the ability to ask the right questions and communicate often complicated ideas in way that a layperson would be able to understand. The ability to comprehend specific legal parameters with regards to complicated individual circumstances is testament to my own analytical skills. Having to carry this out while under the constant burden of clients, judges and a time limit is further evidence of my talent to work under pressure.
University of Leicester Mooting Society
While taking part in the mooting competition I learned the necessity of preparation and organisation. Research into legal cases and doctrine is both time consuming and difficult but taking part in competitive moots has aided me greatly whenever research is required.
La Trobe Univeristy Negotiating Competiting- Third Place
REFERENCES
References available on request.
