Constantin Bedrule

LLB (Hons) Law, 2017

Tell us more about your job and what it involves?

I am currently working as a Paralegal within Digby Brown’s Dundee General Personal Injury Litigation Department. One of my main roles is to support lawyers in my department, as well as those working in other departments and offices, with their work. As a result, I am involved in most aspects of the legal profession.

How did you end up in your current role?

I started working with the firm at the beginning of 2016 after I returned from Sweden where I‘d been an Abertay exchange student at the University of Gothenburg. Although applying for the exchange was one of the best decisions had I ever made, it was a tough decision to make because had to choose between going abroad and getting a guaranteed placement in a law firm. The second option was part of the University’s initiative to introduce students to the practical aspects of the law.

On my return to Dundee, I was eager to get a paid work placement in a law firm. I ‘d previously been doing some voluntary work in a criminal law firm and I feel it helped give me the confidence I needed.

I applied for a temporary job with Digby Brown. The truth is that this was the second application for the same position in the space of 2 years, and second time was the charm for me. The temporary position became a part-time permanent position lasting for 2 years. Upon my Postgraduate Diploma graduation, I was offered my current full-time position.

How did your time at Abertay help you get where you are now?

The four years I spent studying at Abertay have helped shape me into the person I am today. When I first came to Dundee I didn’t know anyone. Being part of a relatively small group of students has made my interactions with colleagues and lecturers more personal. I met my best friend at the end of my first ever lecture at the University. The lecturers were there to guide us every step of the way. By the end of my degree, I had built a strong network of contacts both within the University and outside of it.

Abertay provided me plenty of opportunities to grow as a person and be prepared for the working world.

Did anyone/anything at Abertay have a particular impact on you?

Studying at Abertay made me feel like my efforts were appreciated and my gradual improvement was closely monitored. This made me concentrate on obtaining good results. I had a meeting with the Head of the Business School a few months before the start of the first semester. I was told exactly what was expected of me and the amount of hours I was to dedicate to my studies. This gave me a clear indication of the work involved and made me think about how important organising my time was going to be.

What are your future aspirations?

I’m constantly trying to improve and create a reputation for myself as a professional and competent individual. I am set to begin my Legal Traineeship in September 2019 in Edinburgh. I will use the 2 years to complete any gaps I currently have in the range of skills required of a lawyer.

I will not stop there, I am currently looking at ways of building on the knowledge I have acquired so far by going into further training and study. One such idea would be for me to build on my language competencies by doing a Masters in legal translation/interpretation.

Once I further develop my litigation skills, I am thinking about seeking higher rights of audience, which would allow me to represent clients in the higher courts.