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On Monday the 2nd of February 2026, Evie Bignell, successfully completed her training contract with the firm and qualified as a solicitor.
This is a huge achievement for her. Becoming a solicitor is a long process, involving many hours of learning, exams, experience and practice.
Having reached this huge milestone in her career, Evie has reflected on her journey to becoming a solicitor. Here is what she had to say:
“While I was completing my A levels, I knew that I wanted to go to university, but I had no idea what subject to choose. A teacher that I trusted and had a lot of respect for suggested that I studied Law as it was a good all-round subject to pick and even if I decided that I didn’t want to become a solicitor, a law degree would be useful in lots of different careers and industries.
After I started at Cardiff University, I quickly realised that I loved the structure of law and really enjoyed learning about the history of the legal industry and different legislations. I could easily picture myself working in law for the rest of my life. I also think that watching strong female solicitors on TV programmes influenced me a bit as well!
Family law was actually the one area of law that I did not want to work in, which meant I chose not to study it as a module during my undergraduate degree. But, after a few months of working at Grant Stephens Family Law and witnessing how the solicitors support and guide our clients through such difficult moments in their lives and the level of gratitude that our clients have for the advice and support we give, I understood the impact that family law solicitors can make every single day.
After university, I took a break during the summer to celebrate my graduation and relax before the hard work began. I then applied for the role of legal assistant at Grant Stephens Family Law and joined the firm in October 2021.
After working at the firm for almost a year, Grant Stephens offered me a training contract after I had completed my LPC. I was incredibly grateful to have be given this opportunity, especially at such a prestigious and high quality firm and was honoured that Grant saw so much potential in me at such an early point in my career.
When I started studying for the LPC, I was working full time as a paralegal at the firm and studying all weekend. Whilst I consider myself a very hard worker, inevitably, this proved to be too much for me to do so I approached the firm and asked whether I could drop to 4 days of work. Grant and the entire firm was so supportive of me and this decision, letting me take Friday’s off, with the strict caveat that I used my Friday’s to relax and rest rather than studying more!
I finally began my training contract in August 2024. I was nervous to begin after hearing so many horror stories from other trainees about being mistreated and unsupported by their firms. However, I quickly realised that I had nothing to worry about; the entire Grant Stephens Family Law team have been encouraging and supportive every step of the way.
I have been so lucky to have undertaken my training contract in a firm that has such a variety of clients and matters. Working in one of the leading boutique family law firms in Wales, I was afforded the opportunity to work closely on multi-jurisdictional high asset matrimonial financial matters, complex and emotionally charged private child arrangement cases and contentious disputes between unmarried couples.
I have learned so much about the law, but my biggest take away from my training contract is that I work with some of the strongest family law solicitors in the country. I have had the opportunity to work closely alongside them over the last 18 months and observing how they manoeuvre challenging situations with our clients has been invaluable to my training.
Finally qualifying as a solicitor is an exciting milestone and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my career. I am eager to continue learning, growing in confidence as a solicitor and contributing to the development of the firm as part of our team.“
The entire firm is immensely proud of Evie and her incredible dedication to becoming a solicitor.
Huge congratulations Evie. We cannot wait to see how you continue to progress in the next step of your journey.
