Essex law firm announces qualification of trainee solicitor into construction team

Birkett Long is delighted to announce that Alexandra Zahariadi has qualified as a solicitor in the construction team having completed her training contract with the firm. Alexandra will be specialising in construction law and dispute resolution.

Alexandra achieved a first class degree in Law with Canadian law (LLB). During her third year of university, she studied law at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She went on to gain a distinction in her Legal Practice Course (LPC). Alexandra joined Birkett Long in 2018 as a paralegal in the dispute resolution team where she helped mainly with personal injury and clinical negligence cases. Having quickly impressed those she worked with, she was offered a training contract with the firm.

Alexandra started her training in the divorce and family team where her intelligence and calm disposition meant she quickly became a valued team member. Moving on to the commercial real estate team she proved her skills were not limited to litigious work. Her third and final seat was in the construction team where she found her niche and remains now that she has qualified.

Alexandra explained why this area of law held a particular appeal: 

“Construction law is a fast-paced, complex and very intellectually stimulating area of law. I have the opportunity to work on both contentious and non-contentious matters; not only is there a dispute element (involving Alternative Dispute Resolution, court litigation, and also the unique area of adjudication), there is also an advisory element which includes undertaking contract work, drafting tasks and negotiation. This type of legal work has an interesting technical aspect that requires a certain level of knowledge around construction technology and engineering.

The team gives me scope to grow and improve my skills as a lawyer and, as I gain more experience, work on more complex construction cases. I’m grateful to be able to work alongside such an experienced and reputable team.”

The construction sector is one of the largest in the UK economy. Birkett Long already has a significant profile within the industry, which it is continuing to grow.

Melanie Loxley, Training Principal at Birkett Long said: “In all the teams she has worked, Alexandra has proved herself to be a real asset to the firm and we are thrilled that her fantastic contribution to Birkett Long will continue now that she has qualified. Congratulations to Alex on her qualification.”

Alexandra added: I am extremely excited to have qualified and cannot wait to start my next chapter at Birkett Long. I remember my very first day at law school in 2014 like it was yesterday! It has been a long, challenging, yet rewarding journey and I am grateful that I can now say that I am qualifying as a solicitor at such a brilliant law firm.”