First-class law graduate Jorden Rafferty, who joins Gough Law this month to begin her Articles, has big plans.

Having completed Northumbria University’s MLaw (Exempting) Bar Professional Training Course, Jorden graduated with First Class Honours in her Masters in July 2017.

Jorden,23, was then called to the Bar of England and Wales at the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn by Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, the previous president of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

During her time at university, Jorden was heavily involved in life at the Law School.

In her role as Lincoln’s Inn student representative she organised local qualifying sessions, including advocacy skills workshops.

She was also elected vice president of Northumbria University’s Law Society, helping to manage a committee of 12 and organising events for the 300 plus members.

During her final year, Jorden spent six months volunteering in Newcastle’s Combined Court at the Personal Support Unit.

In this role, she assisted litigants by explaining the court processes, helping to fill out legal documents and assisting in writing submissions to the court.

Jorden said: ‘The law is a passion of mine and, having been fortunate enough to spend time in courtrooms from the age of 13, due to my family’s legal profession, I have gained good insight as to what a career at the bar really involves.

‘I am very much looking forward to the next step in my career, and beginning my Articles at Gough Law this month.

‘Qualifying as a Manx Advocate will make me a dual-qualified lawyer, with rights of audience in both the UK and the Isle of Man.

‘However, my aim is to be triple qualified.

‘I plan to take the New York Bar Exams, regarded as the most difficult in the world, and become a qualified US attorney by the age of 25.

‘Not only will this provide an added intellectual challenge alongside my practice as a Manx Advocate, but it also provides me with a globally recognised and internationally transferable qualification, as well as the standing to partake in international arbitration, furthering my potential client base.

‘It is an ambitious goal, but I am very determined to get to where I want to be, and I am ready to put the work in.’

Jorden will be Articled to Alan Gough, director at Gough Law.

Alan said: ‘Jorden has accomplished so much academically and in terms of experience gained in just a few short years.

‘She has a great work ethic and demonstrates an enviable - to most people I am sure - sense of drive and ambition. I have no doubt she will be called to both the Manx and New York Bar in the near future.

‘Jorden will be a fantastic asset to our small team, and I wish her the very best of luck for the next step in her journey here in the Isle of Man.’

Gough Law is a specialist firm of Isle of Man litigation advocates, offering advice and assistance in the conduct of contentious legal disputes.