With the assistance of the Law Society, MJLD committee members Hekim Hannan and Ingrid Bialozynska attended the Liverpool University Law Fair on 28 October 2009, on behalf of the Merseyside JLD. The day started off with setting up our stand complete with JLD leaflets and lots of sweets. We met other exhibitors for a lovely breakfast before taking our places in anticiaption of the opening of the fair. The students flocked in, making an initial beeline for the City firms and those with the fanciest freebies, leaving our stand relatively quiet. However, it wasn't long until we were engaged in all manners of conversations with the students with others queueing whilst keenly listening in.

The advice given to the undergraduates varied widely from those in the final-year that had completed vacation placements and narrowly missed out on training contracts to those in their first-year requiring guidance on studying this demanding subject. Although the students had an abundance of enthusiam and a realisation that they had to obtain a good degree they were a little wanting as to the other factors required to obtain a vacation placement and training contract, especially in these economic times. Skills that used to be desirable in applicants have now become a necessity.

We both spoke for almost the duration of the 3 hour fair and those students we were unable to speak to, we passed them a leaflet with the national JLD website address containing very useful information. We received some excellent feeback such as, '' I benefited immensely from speaking to Ingrid and Hekim of the MJLD. Their advice was very helpful and encouraging and has made me carefully consider my options in relation to my future career as a lawyer. I think their presence at the UOL Law Fair was invaluable, especially in times of limited job opportunities and fierce competition. Thanks again for all your help guys." Victoria Whitehill - 3rd Year Undergraduate Law Student.

Comments such as this made our attendance very worthy to both ourselves and the students. Furthermore, the University has invited the MJLD to give talks on "successfully applying for vacation schemes" and "interviews" as part of their Wednesday lunchtime programme of talks and the MJLD are very much looking forward to doing all we can to assist the lawyers of tomorrow.