The journey from foundation year to fully qualified solicitor is an inspiring example of what can be achieved with determination and the right support. Daisy Doardo’s story is a powerful example of where determination and the right people backing you can lead. Starting her studies on the Law Pathways programme at the University of Essex, Daisy has transformed early challenges into a successful legal career built on resilience, hard work and a deep commitment to justice. In this interview, she reflects on how Essex opened the door to higher education, the hurdles she faced along the way and the lessons she’s learned in building a career in law.
You started your journey with Essex’s Law and Pathways programme and are now a qualified solicitor. Can you tell us why you chose Essex and how Pathways supported you in taking that first step? I chose to study at the University of Essex because it offered something I thought didn’t exist for someone like me. I’d dropped out of sixth form because of depression and left with no A-levels, so I assumed university was out of reach. When I discovered Essex offered a Law Pathways foundation year, it changed my life. It opened the door to higher education in a way I never thought possible, giving me the opportunity to build the skills, knowledge and confidence that carried me forward to achieving a first-class law degree and ultimately my career as a solicitor.
What was your experience like as a Pathways student at Essex both academically and personally? I was part way through my foundation year as a Pathways student when the COVID pandemic hit. Suddenly, the university was closed and all of our classes got moved online. It was a really difficult time. I'm not from Essex so I didn't have family nearby and making new friends was really tough when we were all stuck at home. During that period I threw myself into any opportunities that I could to build my career. I co-founded the Essex Entrepreneurs Society, volunteered remotely for Appeal (a law charity fighting miscarriages of justice), took on a human rights internship and became the lead Student Rep for the Pathways department. Those experiences kept me busy and helped me feel part of the Essex community despite the distance. Academically, the foundation year itself was a fantastic introduction to law. We studied legal philosophy, learned how to read judgments and how to write academically. Those skills became the building blocks for my law degree. Achieving the highest mark in the year gave me a huge confidence boost - I had gone from believing I didn’t belong at university to realising I could excel there.
Looking back, what challenges did you face on your route into law, and how did you overcome them? My journey to becoming a solicitor has been challenge after challenge after challenge. The best way I can describe it is like climbing a mountain - you reach the top, only to see another, even higher peak ahead. You climb that one too, and there’s another beyond it. That’s what building a career in law has felt like for me. Law is one of the hardest industries to break into, particularly if you don’t have financial support or family connections in the profession. The first challenge I faced was believing my education was over before it began. Finding the Essex Pathways programme changed that and gave me a way in. But even after that, there were so many hurdles: studying for my law degree during the pandemic, working alongside study to support myself and figuring out how to fund the Solicitors Qualifying Exam. Each stage brought new barriers to overcome. What helped me through was support from the University of Essex and its lecturers, from mentors and friends who believed in me and from my now-husband. Step by step, with that network around me, I found a way forward. I’m incredibly grateful for every person and opportunity that helped me get here. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that support.
How did your time at Essex prepare you for your career as a solicitor? Essex prepared me for my career in so many ways. When I started the Law Pathways programme I knew very little about the legal industry. The course gave me a solid understanding of how the court system and judiciary work and the different roles within the profession. What shaped me most though was Essex’s strong focus on human rights and access to justice. The Human Rights Centre is world-renowned and those values were woven into our modules. We were encouraged to think critically about the purpose of law, its social impact and how it can be used - and changed - for the better. Now, as a serious injury solicitor, those same principles guide my work. I’ve worked on cases involving Article 2 of the Human Rights Act (the right to life) and Article 14 (protection from discrimination). Having studied the Human Rights Act at Essex, it’s incredible to now apply it in practice. Beyond that, Essex encouraged me to get involved with Essex Startups. I learned how to network, developed entrepreneurial and commercial awareness skills and started my own legal marketing business. That business became my way of financially supporting myself through my studies and later enabled me to self-fund my SQE exams. In short, everything - from the academic grounding to the values of justice and human rights, to the confidence to think entrepreneurially - came from my time at Essex.
What advice would you give to students who don’t have traditional qualifications but are thinking about studying law at Essex? Not having traditional qualifications is not a barrier to forging a career in law. You can fly just as high as anybody else. The legal profession needs people from all walks of life, because it should reflect the communities it serves. Your lived experiences, resilience and perspective bring value to the profession. Don’t let a lack of A-levels or different route into education make you doubt what you’re capable of. Make the most of the opportunities Essex offers. Say yes to things that push you outside your comfort zone, connect with mentors and seek out people who will champion you along the way. And when you do break into the industry, never forget where you came from. Reach back and extend a hand to those following behind you. That’s how we build a more inclusive legal profession.
Daisy’s story highlights the transformative power of education and the impact of opportunities like the Essex Pathways programme. From overcoming personal challenges to achieving professional success, she embodies the values of perseverance, inclusivity and purpose that Essex strives to instil in every student. For anyone considering taking that first step towards a law degree, Daisy’s journey is a reminder that with the right support and self-belief, no path is out of reach.
Learn more about Essex Law School and the Essex Pathways Department to take the first step towards your own future in law.
