Sheffield graduate wins law award - graduate jobs

A University of Sheffield law graduate has received an award after scoring the highest mark in the exams taken by all future solicitors.

Catherine Earnshaw, 23, was given the DLA Award by leading international law firm DLA Piper.

The prize is given to the student who gets the highest combined mark in the Business and Commercial parts of The College of Law´s Legal Practice Course (LPC). Both parts must be passed before trainee solicitors can proceed to the next stage of practice.

Catherine scored 83% in the Business exam and 91% in the Commercial exam, after studying at the College of Law in Birmingham. She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a First Class LLB (Hons) Degree in Law in 2007.

In September, she started a two-year training contract with law firm Ince & Co, in order for her to qualify as a solicitor.

Catherine said: "I was both surprised and delighted to find out I had won this award. I worked extremely hard for my LPC exams and am pleased that all the work paid off."

The College of Law is Britain's largest legal training organisation, with centres in London, Guildford, Birmingham, Manchester, Chester and York.