Tuesday 8 July 2025

Introduction

Having finished the second year of my law degree at university, I got back in contact with Laura Devine Immigration, a little over two years after my first internship at the firm. Fortunately, I was welcomed back with open arms – not that I was surprised, it’s exactly the kind of environment this firm creates.

Coming into the office on my first day was daunting. However, after seeing a few familiar faces – and being put through the paces with some extensive IT training – my nerves quickly eased. Although I’d been studying law at university for two years, my knowledge of immigration law hadn’t changed since I was last in the firm in 2023. It quickly became apparent that I’d joined at the perfect time as the Government had just released their immigration White Paper, which, as luck would have it, meant that there were a lot of new changes to learn that the lawyers themselves were still discovering day by day. I was placed in the fantastically adept PSL team and offered incredible guidance and support.

What I did during my internship

I began my internship at LDI by attempting to learn as much as possible about the recently announced seismic rule changes. Working with the PSL team was a great way to engulf myself in as much of the law as possible, helping draft multiple articles and writing summaries for the lawyers; this allowed me to demonstrate and improve skills that I had spent time developing during my university studies. With everyone at the firm being so friendly and happy to help, it gave me an excellent opportunity to hear different perspectives on what I was researching and writing about. The incredible knowledge that the LDI lawyers have always kept me on my feet. The PSL team was incredibly supportive and willing to offer advice whenever needed, especially regarding the all-important house style!

In addition to the PSL work, I sat in client meetings with the lawyers and took notes. These tasks allowed me to witness first-hand a side of the job that I had much less experience in, yet is an essential function of the role. Observing the fast thinking and problem solving was fascinating as the lawyers managed to weave around all the obstacles thrown by each client, all with different problems, but approached with a high degree of professionalism. This experience gave me an insight into an element of the role of a paralegal, a role I am considering when my studies finish.

I was also fortunate enough to be entrusted to work directly on pro bono cases that the firm had taken on. My strong interest in human rights law has only grown through my studies, and at LDI, I was given a fantastic opportunity to merge this into the immigration sphere. Being able to work drafting applications and learn more about the controversy surrounding European Convention on Human Rights Article 8 claims in relation to UK immigration law was an experience I will never forget. I am grateful to all those at LDI who gave up their time to involve me in their work.

Despite the amount of work I was assigned at LDI, it was never too much, and I was always supported when I struggled with certain tasks. It’s not the kind of internship where they just throw you in a room and give you boring administrative tasks; I felt valued.

What I have learned

How complex immigration law is – when you think that you finally understand an element, there can be small rule changes or guidance updates, and then you must learn it all over again.

This understanding has, however, helped me develop my critical thinking and analytical skills. I’ve repeatedly applied these skills throughout my internship, reading Home Office guidance and the White Paper and then transferring them into different articles and summaries. Gaining feedback from the lawyers has been incredibly beneficial, as it has allowed me to see their thought processes and better understand their way of thinking. LDI houses some of the most knowledgeable legal professionals, all willing to help and advise me.

Attention to detail is one of the most essential skills I have developed at LDI, whether for applications, advice or reading large documents and guidance. Locating a specific detail can change everything.

Communication is also important when working in a firm such as LDI. I quickly discovered that asking as many questions as possible to different people will benefit you. Everyone thinks differently, and it is challenging to encompass all the knowledge required to practice immigration law, so asking for help or guidance makes everything much more achievable.

Thank you to LDI for taking me on, again, as an intern. This past month has been a fantastic experience, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all the work that has passed my way. I strongly urge anyone to contact LDI to gain legal experience during university. I could not think of a better firm from its ethos and attitude to the level of expertise held by the staff; LDI is head and shoulders above the competition.