Liverpool Law School alumnus provides placement opportunities for more than 30 students

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Nigel Taylor and Melissa Ferrari with students
Nigel Taylor and Melissa Ferrari with Law students.

SPG Law firm recently recruited more than 30 students to work at their Liverpool offices.

Founder of SPG’s operations outside the US and alumnus, Nigel Taylor (LLB Hons 1973) contacted the University seeking exceptional Law students to join the company on a part-time basis.

Since graduating, Nigel has kept in touch with the Development and Alumni Relations team, and worked with them alongside the Careers and Employability team to provide this opportunity, as a way to not only source talented Law students, but also to give back to the University.

Nigel said: “The placements benefit both the firm and the students. The opportunity for students to do some temporary work for SPG also acts as an opportunity for the firm to take a look at potential future recruits.”

SPG Law represents claimants in the Volkswagen NOx emissions group litigation. In the capacity of paralegals, the students have helped SPG prepare Schedules of Information to support each claim. This has involved direct client contact and the recording of claim details in preparing the Court documents.

Whilst the students remain on a part-time basis alongside their studies, there are opportunities for continued employment in the future, including graduate placements.

Melissa Ferrari, Attorney at Law, Law Student trainer and consultant to SPG Law said: “The students have helped us tremendously. They have been enthusiastic, engaged, and hard-working. Having them as part of our professional team has been a true pleasure.”

Students at SPG Law offices

Student, Arzoo Naz, said: “The practicality of working at SPG Law is not something that can be taught in a textbook. During my time at SPG Law, I have been responsible for dealing with clients, as well as handling confidential documents.”

Suhail Ilyas, second-year student said: “I chose to apply for this placement to gain an insight into the operation of a law firm. It was an opportunity to work on large scale group litigations which isn’t common. I read up on the partner of the firm; Nigel Taylor whom mentioned his aims of implementing the ‘US approach’ to UK clients which made it a unique and attractive opportunity.”

SPG Law are involved in environmental, medical and data breech claims. The firm combines the knowledge of large cases in the US with top lawyers in the UK, to create one of the world's most powerful legal teams entirely dedicated to the representation of the people against the powerful.

Alumni who are willing to help support activities which enhance the employability of our students, such as offering work experience or being a mentor on the Law Professional Mentoring Programme, can contact Caroline Mitchell on: caroline.mitchell@liverpool.ac.uk