A BUDDING legal eagle joined a solicitors’ law firm on work placement after winning a coveted scholarship at her university.

Antonia Birchall, 20, from Newton-le-Willows, was one of six students at the University of Leeds to undertake a summer placement with Leeds law firm Ison Harrison.

She said: “I am currently gaining experience in different departments within the business, learning how the business works and how they help their clients.

“Most recently I have been working in the Clinical Negligence department learning how the firm gets compensation for people who have suffered injury through no fault of their own.

“I have been helping out with various administrative duties and work shadowing solicitors and other staff members.

“The people are absolutely fantastic and I feel very lucky to have been placed in such a brilliant firm.”

The Pamela Walsh Peaker Memorial Awards are funded by Tony Peaker and dedicated to the memory of his late wife who was a partner at London solicitors L Bingham and co.

It aims to give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the business and legal practices of their host firms and enhancing their employability.

The awards are of particular benefit to students who may otherwise find difficulty in landing such work experience.

Antonia added: “My goal would be to qualify as a solicitor and work my way up to partner level. That’s easier said than done but opportunities like this do make a difference.”