West Wales has is home to a dedicated legal community, rich in talent, tradition and resilience. Now, that community is seeing a fresh spark with the relaunch of the West Wales Junior Lawyers Division (WWJLD), a revitalised group committed to supporting, empowering and connecting the region’s aspiring and newly qualified legal professionals. Its new Chair, costs lawyer Sarah-Jane Lewis, showcases the new-look WWJLD, it’s plans for the year ahead, and how to get involved.
After a period of dormancy, the WWJLD is re-emerging with renewed energy and purpose. The division is now under new leadership, determined to provide a visible, supportive and dynamic platform for junior lawyers in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.
Who we are
The WWJLD is a local branch of the national Junior Lawyers Division (JLD), which operates with support from The Law Society. It represents LPC students, trainee solicitors, paralegals, legal assistants, newly qualified solicitors (up to five years PQE), aspiring legal professionals and those on the SQE route.
The group aims to bring people together at all stages of their early legal careers, including those in small high street firms, larger regional practices, in-house roles, or those studying and training locally.
Our newly appointed committee is composed of junior lawyers from across the region, each with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working in the legal profession in West Wales.
From limited networking opportunities to the pressure of qualification routes, we know the value of having a supportive community to lean on.
What we aim to achieve
The WWJLD relaunch isn’t just symbolic, it’s practical.
We are here to:
- Create a stronger sense of community among junior legal professionals across West Wales, breaking isolation and promoting peer-to-peer support.
- Host regular networking events that foster genuine connections, collaboration and mentorship in a relaxed and inclusive setting.
- Deliver training and professional development workshops, including sessions on wellbeing, legal updates, and career progression advice.
- Champion diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all junior lawyers, regardless of background, feel seen, heard and supported.
- Provide a bridge between junior lawyers and senior members of the profession, encouraging mentorship and open dialogue about the realities of legal life in a rural region.
We believe the legal profession in West Wales should be one where junior lawyers feel valued and empowered to thrive. Through community, visibility and support, we hope to be part of shaping a more resilient and collaborative local legal landscape.
Why join?
Whether you’re newly qualified, preparing for your first training contract interview, or halfway through the SQE, the WWJLD is for you. Our events are designed to fit around the busy lives of junior professionals, and we welcome members from all legal backgrounds.
This is more than a professional network. It’s a community. A place to ask questions, to find encouragement, to learn from peers and to develop long-term friendships with those who understand the unique pressures of life in law.
We are keen to welcome junior lawyers from more rural areas who may have previously felt disconnected from wider legal networks. You are not alone and WWJLD is here to ensure you never feel that way again.
Get involved
We’re officially relaunching this summer, and you’re warmly invited to be part of it. Keep an eye on our LinkedIn and Instagram pages for news of upcoming events, opportunities to join our committee, and ways to connect.
To express interest, collaborate, or just say hello, you can also email us at wwjuniorlawyersdivision@gmail.com. We can’t wait to meet you, collaborate with you, and celebrate the next generation of legal talent in West Wales.
