A determined young lawyer is forging a career in commercial litigation after qualifying as a solicitor with business law firm Baines Wilson.

Rachel McGauley, 32, took an indirect route to qualification.

She graduated in law from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2011 but unlike most graduates who plunge straight into a legal practice course.

Rachel worked as a legal secretary in her hometown of Blackpool before becoming a paralegal at a large international law firm in Manchester.

“I wanted to gain a range of legal experience before deciding which career path I wanted to take,” she said.

When she embarked on a legal practice course, she combined it with working full time and studying for a masters’ degree in professional legal practice.

Rachel said: “I always wanted to do a masters and, when I learned that I could achieve this combined with studying on the legal practice course, it was an easy decision to make.

“Studying part-time whilst still working full-time was quite full on but the hard work has paid off.”

She earned a distinction in her legal practice course and masters before joining Baines Wilson as a trainee solicitor in 2020.

After spells with the employment law and commercial property teams, she found her niche in litigation and dispute resolution. 

Sean Logue, Head of Partnership, said: “At Baines Wilson we see trainees as an investment for the future and they work closely with Partners from a very early stage in their training.

“Congratulations to Rachel on qualifying, she is a great addition to our litigation team.”

Associate solicitor Chris Clayton, who works closely with Rachel, said: “She is a talented litigation lawyer with a promising future ahead of her.

“She will continue to assist me to help our clients with all of their commercial and property related disputes.”

Rachel added: “I knew of Baines Wilson when I worked in Blackpool and Manchester as a highly reputable firm.”

“Litigation work is so varied. Often, emotions run high, and you have to resolve quite complicated issues to achieve the best possible results for your clients. I’m really enjoying it.”

Baines Wilson has offices in Lancaster and Carlisle. Rachel trained in Carlisle but is now based in Lancaster.

To find out more about Baines Wilson’s services, check out the website – baineswilson.co.uk – or call 01228 552600 or 01524 548494.