Heywood law student aims high in the legal world

Georgina Dalton

A Heywood law student has been taken on by a top barrister firm in Leeds.

Three years ago, Georgina Dalton received funding from The Guinness Partnership, a national housing association, to help her study for a law degree at Lancaster University.

The funding has had a huge impact on Georgina’s life, helping her to successfully finish her law degree. With aspirations of becoming a barrister, Georgina commenced the Bar Professional Training Course last year.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on Georgina’s studies, with exams being moved online and pushed back two months to August. Georgina is due to get her final exam result at the end of November when she will then be called to the bar.  

Recognising Georgina’s potential, Spire Barristers in Leeds have already taken on Georgina to commence her pupillage – despite the delays with her exam results. After the 12 month training period is completed, Georgina hopes to continue as a full tenant with the chambers.

Georgina said: “Receiving the Aspire Award has given me the confidence to pursue my career in law, which felt completely out of reach to me only three or four years ago. Without it, there is no way I would be where I am today.

“I am enjoying myself more than I could ever have imagined, and I have reached many of my goals and aspirations at the age of 22, for that I will always be grateful to The Guinness Partnership.”

“As soon as I am able to, I plan to carry out pro-bono work which involves offering free legal advice and representation to those in the community who cannot afford it. This is really important to me as it was the very reason I wanted to pursue this career path in the first place.”

Amy Lightfoot, who co-ordinates The Guinness Partnership’s Aspire Awards funding, said: “We are so proud to have helped fund Georgina on her path to a career in law and we wish her continued success, especially during these difficult times.  

“Over the last six years we have given more than 270 Guinness residents Aspire Award grants, helping them to achieve their dreams or to help build better and brighter communities for everyone. The application process is really simple, and we would encourage any Guinness resident to apply.”

The Guinness Partnership Aspire Awards programme is open to its customers across the country twice a year:

• https://www.guinnesspartnership.com/your-community/aspire-awards/