Barrister-to-be selected for national law prize

A Liverpool John Moores University law student has been awarded the prestigious national Neuberger Prize for her outstanding academic achievement.

Emily Thorbjornsen, 21, who comes from Runcorn, Cheshire, is one of only five students in the country to be awarded the prize, which will make her a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, and reward her with a £1,000 cash prize.

The aim of the prize is to identify the best students in England in the final year of their law degree and to give them a taste of life as a barrister, networking with members of the Inn.

Emily said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I have dedicated a lot of my spare time to increasing my knowledge on what a career at the Bar is like, as well as gaining relevant skills to stand me in good stead to become a barrister. I was delighted to see my hard work starting to pay off!”

Supportive

Emily was selected to go forward for the prize by her tutors at LJMU School of Law who described her grades as “truly outstanding”. She then drafted an application with the help of the School’s careers team.

As well as being the highest achiever in her cohort. Emily is President of the LJMU Law Society, a volunteer at the LJMU Legal Advice Centre and is involved in Mooting and Debating groups.

After graduating, she intends to continue her studies to train as a barrister.

Emily added: “Since being at LJMU, I have had a lot of opportunities that have not previously afforded me and the support from staff members has been invaluable.”