Up-and-coming law student reflects on success as Leicester Law School marks 60 years
An award-winning University of Leicester law student is reflecting on her journey to the Bar as Leicester Law School celebrates six decades of shaping future legal professionals.
Leoni Coyle is in her third year at the University of Leicester and is due to graduate with her LLB this summer. She will be starting the Bar Course and Master’s at BPP Manchester later this year.
She recently received the Emerging Talent Award at this year’s Leicestershire Law Society Awards, which recognises an outstanding law student who demonstrates real promise for a future in law.
For Leoni, the award came as a surprise. She said: “I genuinely didn’t expect my name to be called. There are so many talented students and aspiring lawyers across Leicestershire. It felt like recognition for all the work that happens behind the scenes that people don’t necessarily see.”
Her success reflects a journey that began in challenging circumstances. After losing her father at the age of 16, Leoni turned to law to focus her energy, and her interest quickly developed into a genuine passion.
“What started as a distraction quickly turned into something I really enjoyed,” she said. “I loved seeing how legal principles developed over time, reading different judgments and working out why judges reached the conclusions they did.”
While studying at Leicester, Leoni developed a particular interest in advocacy. Reflecting on her time before university, she said:
“My mum has always said I could argue black was white, and she’s probably right.
“I’ve always loved talking, performing and making a point. Growing up, I spent years dancing, acting and narrating school plays. Looking back, advocacy feels like the grown-up version of all of that. It’s communicating with purpose.”
During her time at Leicester, Leoni has taken full advantage of the opportunities available to aspiring barristers, building her experience through mini-pupillages, advocacy competitions and academic achievement.
A standout moment came when she reached the Grand Final of the National Advocate of the Year Competition, competing at the Old Bailey and finishing second.
She also won the Property Bar Association Essay Competition and has explored specialist areas of law through work experience and mentoring.
Leoni has developed a particular interest in chancery and commercial law, an area that combines detailed analysis with persuasive argument.
“I’m most drawn to the analytical side of legal practice,” she said. “It involves exactly the kind of research, problem-solving and written advocacy that I enjoy most.”
Alongside her achievements, Leoni has faced challenges. She said:
“I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome at times.
“Coming from a background where the Bar wasn’t something people around me knew much about, it was easy to feel like everyone else knew what they were doing while I was playing catch-up.
“Money has also been a challenge throughout my journey. I come from a working-class, single-parent family, and while my mum has always done everything she could for me, there were lots of opportunities that simply cost more than we could comfortably afford. Travel to mini-pupillages, networking events, Inns of Court events and work experience placements can become expensive very quickly.”
During her studies, she received the Jeffers-Nunn Aspiring Barristers Award and the Humphries Award in Law, as well as support from Lincoln’s Inn, including mini-pupillage grants and a Major Tancred Scholarship.
Reflecting on her time at Leicester, Leoni credits the University and its community with helping her build both confidence and direction.
“Having people take the time to answer questions, offer advice and reassure you when you’re struggling with imposter syndrome makes a huge difference,” she said.
Looking beyond graduation, Leoni is preparing for the next stage of her career.
“I’d love to practise at the Bar, but I’m not in a rush,” she said. “I want to keep learning and make sure that when the opportunity comes, I’m ready for it.”
Her advice to current and future law students reflects this mindset.
“Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you — go looking for them,” she said. “And don’t worry if you’re not brilliant straight away. The important thing is to keep showing up, asking for feedback and improving.”
Leoni Coyle is in her third year at the University of Leicester and is due to graduate with her LLB this summer. She will be starting the Bar Course and Master’s at BPP Manchester later this year.
She recently received the Emerging Talent Award at this year’s Leicestershire Law Society Awards, which recognises an outstanding law student who demonstrates real promise for a future in law.
For Leoni, the award came as a surprise. She said: “I genuinely didn’t expect my name to be called. There are so many talented students and aspiring lawyers across Leicestershire. It felt like recognition for all the work that happens behind the scenes that people don’t necessarily see.”
Her success reflects a journey that began in challenging circumstances. After losing her father at the age of 16, Leoni turned to law to focus her energy, and her interest quickly developed into a genuine passion.
“What started as a distraction quickly turned into something I really enjoyed,” she said. “I loved seeing how legal principles developed over time, reading different judgments and working out why judges reached the conclusions they did.”
While studying at Leicester, Leoni developed a particular interest in advocacy. Reflecting on her time before university, she said:
“My mum has always said I could argue black was white, and she’s probably right.
“I’ve always loved talking, performing and making a point. Growing up, I spent years dancing, acting and narrating school plays. Looking back, advocacy feels like the grown-up version of all of that. It’s communicating with purpose.”
During her time at Leicester, Leoni has taken full advantage of the opportunities available to aspiring barristers, building her experience through mini-pupillages, advocacy competitions and academic achievement.
A standout moment came when she reached the Grand Final of the National Advocate of the Year Competition, competing at the Old Bailey and finishing second.
She also won the Property Bar Association Essay Competition and has explored specialist areas of law through work experience and mentoring.
Leoni has developed a particular interest in chancery and commercial law, an area that combines detailed analysis with persuasive argument.
“I’m most drawn to the analytical side of legal practice,” she said. “It involves exactly the kind of research, problem-solving and written advocacy that I enjoy most.”
Alongside her achievements, Leoni has faced challenges. She said:
“I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome at times.
“Coming from a background where the Bar wasn’t something people around me knew much about, it was easy to feel like everyone else knew what they were doing while I was playing catch-up.
“Money has also been a challenge throughout my journey. I come from a working-class, single-parent family, and while my mum has always done everything she could for me, there were lots of opportunities that simply cost more than we could comfortably afford. Travel to mini-pupillages, networking events, Inns of Court events and work experience placements can become expensive very quickly.”
During her studies, she received the Jeffers-Nunn Aspiring Barristers Award and the Humphries Award in Law, as well as support from Lincoln’s Inn, including mini-pupillage grants and a Major Tancred Scholarship.
Reflecting on her time at Leicester, Leoni credits the University and its community with helping her build both confidence and direction.
“Having people take the time to answer questions, offer advice and reassure you when you’re struggling with imposter syndrome makes a huge difference,” she said.
Looking beyond graduation, Leoni is preparing for the next stage of her career.
“I’d love to practise at the Bar, but I’m not in a rush,” she said. “I want to keep learning and make sure that when the opportunity comes, I’m ready for it.”
Her advice to current and future law students reflects this mindset.
“Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you — go looking for them,” she said. “And don’t worry if you’re not brilliant straight away. The important thing is to keep showing up, asking for feedback and improving.”