Kiera O'Connor talks school exclusion, self advocacy and social mobility

Getting kicked out of school inspired me to become a solicitor. I was excluded at 15 because my school couldn’t cope with my mental health struggles. It felt quite unfair. I was only a teenager, but I’d already had a taste of law having represented myself at an education tribunal. My knowledge of law back then was pretty much Legally Blonde, but I’ve learnt a lot since.

I’ve joined Kingsley Napley’s Court of Protection team as a paralegal working with clients who don’t have capacity. I was the recipient of its Brandusa-Tataru Marinescu award for diversity and inclusion in 2023 and, through that, participated in work experience and mentoring with the firm. The very first time I visited its offices I thought: “I’d love to work here”. I never thought they’d hire someone like me though. Getting to know the firm during my placement motivated me to apply when the vacancy opened.

Growing up with a single teen mum, there wasn’t a lot of consistency or stability. We lived in a women’s refuge for a while and, after that, faced eviction all the time. I knew how to hide from bailiffs from a young age. My mum did everything she could for us, skipping meals to feed me and my sister. When you've been through things yourself, you can put yourself in the client’s shoes a little bit more.

Excluded from school, I was sent to a unit where I received eight hours of “education” a week. It’s generous to call it an education: maths lessons were sewing and English was Scrabble. I decided I wanted better for myself, so I learnt the GCSE syllabus from revision guides.

In my free time I’d go to the Old Bailey and sit in the public gallery. I saw everything from murder trials to robbery and manslaughter hearings. I enjoyed being in the courtroom. It was inspiring and motivated me to keep up with my studies. I’d watch cases thinking: “that’s what you're going to do”. When I got to university, it was really useful that I’d seen so much in action.   

Getting to law school wasn’t easy. With just two GCSEs, I scraped a place into sixth form. But adjusting to mainstream education was tough. After two years, I finished with just 60 UCAS points. I needed 112 points to get a place at my local uni. All through sixth form, I’d been emailing the admissions team to explain my passion for law and justify my education shortcomings.

On results day, I called them in tears to plead my case. I was put on hold for what felt like an hour, and then I was offered a place. My persistence had convinced the admissions tutor I could do it, despite my low grades. If it wasn’t for that tutor believing in me, I don’t know how I’d have made it. I have the utmost gratitude for that opportunity. It took me four years to complete my degree, but I eventually graduated with a 2:1 – I missed out on a first by less than 1%.

I was told early on that lots of students get 2:1s and firsts, so you need other things to stand out. Throughout my studies, I was actively involved with my uni’s law society and organised networking events. This allowed me to grow my network, develop communication skills and gain practical experience. I still love pursuing extra-curricular activities. I sit on the Law Society’s Junior Solicitors Network and have chaired the Hertfordshire Junior Lawyers Division for two years fundraising for charity and organising events. I sometimes take on too much, but I always feel like I need to be doing more.

As president of my university’s law society, I invited the "Beyoncé of law” to speak at a guest lecture. Lady Hale is an inspiration to me, and I was delighted she was willing to share her story. It took a year to organise and was the biggest lecture my university has ever held. The auditorium and overflow room were full, and people watched online around the world. I delivered the vote of thanks which was an honour, but also a huge pressure in front of such a large audience.

Through the networking I did during law school, I got my first paralegal position. I was fortunate to get a part-time role with a local conveyancing team, which I fit around my studies. I found it interesting but was keen to pursue work where I could help people. From my experiences volunteering with Citizens Advice and Shelter, I discovered how rewarding it was to work with those who need help.

I’ve started volunteering as a school governor in a special education needs and exclusions role. Because of my experiences, I'll ensure these matters are treated fairly. I want to make sure the school does its best for its students by putting support in place where needed. It’s good to turn the negatives from my life into positives.

My proudest achievement is getting a scholarship through the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme (DAS). To have people believe in my potential as a solicitor was fantastic. I support my mum financially, so the Legal Practice Course was going to be a luxury I couldn’t afford. For someone who’s had stress at every step, DAS took away so much pressure.

DAS also connected me with two mentors whose guidance has been invaluable. With no family connections in the legal world, I've always felt at a disadvantage. My mentors have provided a fantastic insight into different areas of law and helped with applications and interviews.

Completing my LPC was the toughest period, as I juggled homelessness and a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. Getting that diagnosis just before my exams was the first time I ever questioned if I’d actually make it as a solicitor. But I’ve never let anything hold me back and I wasn’t prepared to start. I’m now settled in permanent accommodation, have made adjustments that allow me to manage my MS and am getting fantastic care from the NHS. I’ve also received a scholarship for my SQE2 from the College of Legal Practice and hope to qualify in 12 months. 

I believe if there is something you want, you can achieve it. Because I've come from a background where I’ve faced many different problems, I like to find solutions. You're always going to encounter problems, but staying focused on the end goal is key.