From First-Day Nerves to Pupillage: A Speed Mooting Success Story
"Speed Mooting was a safe place for me to practise and grow. It really brought out the advocate in me."
Those words come from one of our Advocacy Club members, Susan Guest, who recently secured pupillage at Cornwall Street Barristers and is now five months into her journey at the Bar.
Her story isn't just inspiring. It's proof that with the right support, determination, and a willingness to push through discomfort, the path to pupillage is absolutely achievable.
Even when life throws every possible obstacle in your way.
The Call That Changed Everything
We caught up with our Susan to hear about her journey, and one thing became immediately clear: the excitement hasn't faded.
"I still feel just as ecstatic as I did the day I got the call," she told us. "Now that I'm heading into month five of pupillage, that excitement has grown into a real sense of purpose."
Every day brings something new, whether it’s court, drafting, or learning from my supervisors, and I’m constantly being stretched and developing as an advocate.
I’ve also been incredibly lucky with my chambers. Everyone has been so generous with their time and support, which has made the whole experience both challenging and genuinely enjoyable".
It's the dream outcome for any aspiring barrister.
But getting there? That was anything but straightforward and it makes Susan's story all the more inspiring.
The Real Challenges Nobody Warns You About
Susan came to this journey as a mature applicant, a mum, and someone working full-time. Sound familiar? If you're juggling similar responsibilities, you'll know exactly what she means when she describes needing to be "very intentional" with her time.
"Balancing family life, work, and applications meant I had to be very intentional with my time," she explained. "I prioritised mini pupillages, advocacy opportunities, and competitions wherever I could, both to strengthen my skills and to show my commitment to the Bar."
But the biggest challenge wasn't the logistics. It was the internal battle.
"Self-doubt crept in more often than I'd like to admit," Susan shared openly. "Especially sitting in interviews and wondering if I really belonged there."
Sound familiar?
If you've ever walked into an interview room and felt like an imposter, you're not alone. That voice that whispers "who do you think you are?" affects almost everyone at some point.
And then there's rejection.
"Every rejection hurts," Susan told us. "There's a real heartbreak that comes with putting so much into an application and receiving a rejection email."
This is something we don't talk about enough in the legal profession. The emotional toll of putting your heart into applications.
So how did Susan push through?
"Over time, I learned to use that feeling as motivation rather than letting it knock my confidence," Susan said. "I made a point of asking for feedback every single time, even when it was hard to read, and used it to improve.
That mindset shift made all the difference. I reminded myself that I had earned my place in those rooms, and that confidence comes from being willing to learn and try again."
How Speed Mooting Made the Difference
Now, here's where our Advocacy Club enters the story.
"Speed Mooting was a safe place for me to practise and grow," Susan shared. "When I first joined, I was so nervous that I spent a few sessions just observing."
We love hearing this. Because that's exactly what the Advocacy Club is designed for. It's a judgement free, safe space where you can develop at your own pace.
"Eventually, I pushed myself to get involved and delivered a plea in mitigation, an opening speech, and other pieces of advocacy," Susan continued.
"At the beginning, you could hear the nerves in my voice, and that wasn't the advocate I wanted to be. But with each session my confidence grew.
"It didn't matter if I made mistakes: that was exactly what the space was for,"she explained. "I could try things out, get feedback, and come back better next time."
This is the secret sauce of advocacy development. You can read every mooting / advocacy article in existence, but nothing replaces actually doing it.
"It really brought out the advocate in me," Susan reflected, "and gave me the confidence in interviews to show I was ready for pupillage."
The One Piece of Advice Every Pupillage Hunter Needs
We asked Susan what single piece of advice she'd give to those still on the hunt for pupillage and this is what she told us:
"My biggest piece of advice would be to focus on finding the right chambers for you, not just any chambers."
Let that sink in.
In a process where it feels like you should be applying everywhere and anywhere, Susan is advocating for something more strategic.
"It's easy to fixate on certain sets or reputations," she explained, "but the real challenge is finding a place where you genuinely fit.
I found that when I was sitting in front of the right panel, everything felt more natural. I was more relaxed and able to show them the real me."
This makes complete sense when you think about it. Interviews are a two-way street. If you're forcing yourself to fit a mould that isn't you, that tension will show.
Susan's practical tip? "Take the time to meet tenants and get a feel for the culture. It's very revealing. Ask yourself whether you can actually see yourself working alongside them on your toughest days."
And finally: "Trust your gut: it's usually right."
What We Can All Learn From This Journey
Here are some key takeaways from Susan's story:
Being a "non-traditional" applicant isn't a weakness: it's a different perspective that chambers value.
Self-doubt is normal: even successful applicants experience it.
Rejection is information: always ask for feedback and use it to improve.
Practice builds confidence: there's no shortcut to advocacy skills.
Finding the right fit matters: don't just chase prestige, chase alignment.
If you're currently on the pupillage hunt, feeling discouraged, or wondering if you have what it takes: let this story remind you that success is possible.
Want to develop your advocacy skills in a supportive environment? Check out our upcoming events and learn more about what we do here at Speed Mooting.
