Class of 2025: Rachel Ndungu

Learning on the job is one of the many things aspiring solicitor Rachel Ndungu has enjoyed doing during her time studying at Essex.

She was enticed to our Colchester Campus by the chance to gain real-world experience in the legal world through the Essex Law Clinic.

“It was a major draw for me. I was particularly drawn by how committed the university is to real-world impact and access to justice,” she said.

Rachel worked as Student Project lead for the Law Clinic, which sees students and lecturers work together to provide free legal advice to the public on a range of issues such as housing, immigration, and family law.

During her time volunteering for the Law Clinic, Rachel was part of a team who were able to successfully challenge a number of local authority decisions on homelessness and secure emergency housing for clients.

One case saw the Housing Ombudsman rule in favor of a client who had received support and guidance from Rachel and her team.

The client received hundreds of pounds in compensation after being subjected to “misjustice” during her homeless application.

Rachel says the most rewarding part of her work with the Law Clinic has been receiving updates from clients who she has supported and helped.

She added: “I had two inspirational lecturers, both of whom I met via the law clinic. “Lucy Davies opened my eyes to alternative routes into the legal profession like CILEX and nurtured my interest in housing law.

“Liz Fisher-Frank ignited my passion for family law, not only the legal technicalities but the human side of ensuring the families have the best outcomes, not just the legal results.”

Following her father into a career in law seemed inevitable for Rachel, even from an early age.

She remembers immersing herself in legal documents her dad would bring home, including leasing agreements and different types of contracts.

“Eventually, he brought home a copy of the Kenyan Constitution- probably fed up with me making half formed arguments at the age of 10,” joked Rachel.

“That early exposure sparked a deep interest in law.” Rachel, who is originally from Nairobi in Kenya, will be graduating with LLB Law with Criminology this summer.

She hopes to secure a training contract and qualify as a solicitor after graduation.

Rachel hopes to build on her experience by working in either dispute resolution or family law, adding: “I’m excited to continue making a difference through the hours I commit to legal work and volunteering.”