Volunteer spotlight: Nicola Harris

Posted on: 30 May 2023 by Development and Alumni Relations team in 2023

Nicola Harris (LLB Hons 2004) first heard about the Liverpool Law Clinic from Professor Debra Morris, former Dean of the School of Law and Social Justice, in 2016 when it was still being set up at the School. The clinic then opened shortly after and Nicola has been involved ever since.

Nicola has enjoyed working with the students advising family clients at the clinic. In particular, she found the experience “very reassuring and encouraging” and she found that the students “have a genuine desire to learn and develop the skills required to be an outstanding lawyer when they are presented with the opportunity to learn. Academic excellence is one thing but practical skills are so important.”

When asked about the reasons why she decided to give her time, Nicola said that she was motivated by the connection to the University as an alumna and because she wanted to promote access to justice, but she also wanted to support the newly established Law Clinic as she thought that it would become an important tool for the students to learn about the types of legal problems members of the public face on a daily basis.

Nicola’s favourite memory from the clinic is mentoring one of the students. “She was a single mother who had left her daughter in her home country to pursue her studies; she was such a warm, friendly and enthusiastic person, who just wanted to better her life for the sake of her daughter and she had made so many sacrifices to do so. She was a very special young woman […] it was a privilege to help even in a small way on her journey to become a lawyer.” The student returned to her home country after graduation, but Nicola still keeps in touch with her and has learnt that she now also volunteers her time to support local students!

While Nicola remembers the challenges she faced when she was a student – working while studying, and even having three jobs at the same time at one point – Nicola says that it’s a journey that set her up for working life well. After graduation, she followed the traditional route of LPC and pursued a career in law. She then began her training contract with MSB in 2005 and has been with the firm throughout her career, becoming partner in March 2017.

Reflecting about her career and her support of the Law Clinic, she said: “I am asked a lot what my ambitions are for the remainder of my career and I always answer with longevity. I want to help create a firm that my children will use to purchase their first home, that their friends may use if they set up a business, and to do that, I must support the next generation of lawyers, and that starts at the clinic”.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for Nicola’s continued support of the Liverpool Law Clinic, the students and the clients at the clinic. Thank you!