Who Is Jordan Kluth?
Jordan Kluth is a Senior Associate Solicitor at John Fowlers LLP, where he works in conveyancing. Having started his career as a paralegal, Jordan has worked his way through the profession, gaining experience, qualifying as a solicitor and progressing to senior associate.
We spoke to Jordan about securing his first opportunity in law, dealing with the unexpected challenges of legal practice and why sometimes taking a step backwards can help you move forwards.
How Do You Get Your First Opportunity at a Law Firm?
For many aspiring lawyers, securing that first opportunity can be one of the biggest hurdles. Jordan knows this feeling well. Before securing his first paralegal role, he had spent around 18 months applying to different law firms.
When he finally got his opportunity, his future boss asked how much he knew about the area of litigation he would be working in. His response was refreshingly honest:
“Absolutely nothing, but I will learn everything I need to.”
Jordan quickly discovered that while university teaches you the legal principles, it doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the practical realities of working in a law firm. Putting together your first court bundle or speaking to a barrister for the first time can be an entirely different experience.
He also learnt that nobody expects you to know everything from day one. What matters is knowing where to find the answers, asking questions when you need help and being willing to learn from those around you.
What Is Working in Conveyancing Really Like?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from the seller to the buyer. Conveyancing can be a demanding area of legal practice, particularly when transactions involve multiple parties, strict deadlines and significant sums of money. When asked about his most stressful day at work, Jordan recalled an incident involving a high street bank that accidentally sent more than £100,000 of a client’s money to the wrong account.
Fortunately, the receiving bank recognised the transaction as suspicious and held the money in a holding account. Although it took a couple of days to resolve, the funds were eventually recovered. At the time, Jordan recalls that “the phone didn’t stop ringing”, while he was trying to manage several competing demands. Thankfully, the experienced team at John Fowlers stepped in to help. For Jordan, the experience reinforced the importance of staying calm, remaining organised and having colleagues you can rely on when things become difficult.
And if you thought that was stressful, we also asked Jordan to settle an important debate. What’s worse: sending a golf ball into the woods or a property chain collapsing 24 hours before exchange? Despite admitting that losing golf balls happens more often than he’d like, Jordan had no hesitation in choosing the latter. A collapsed property chain can leave buyers and sellers disappointed, removal companies booked unnecessarily and mortgage offers at risk of expiring. After weeks or even months of work, everything can suddenly fall apart just before completion. His approach? Stay calm, manage expectations and focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the problem.
When Is It Time to Move to Another Law Firm?
Moving to another firm isn’t always about securing a higher salary or a more impressive job title. Sometimes, the best career move is the one that gives you greater opportunities to develop.
Jordan was grateful to the firm that gave him his first opportunity. However, when he moved to John Fowlers, his priorities were qualifying as a solicitor and gaining exposure to a wider range of clients and transactions. Interestingly, the move initially meant taking a step backwards financially and in terms of job title. For Jordan, however, the opportunity to develop professionally made that decision worthwhile.
His advice to aspiring lawyers is to look beyond immediate rewards and consider whether a firm offers the environment, experience and responsibility needed to build the career you want in the long term.
What Does It Take to Progress as a Solicitor?
Having recently been promoted to Senior Associate, Jordan reflected on the uncertainty he experienced earlier in his career.
When asked what he would tell his younger self, he joked:
“If you think it’s hard now, give it another ten years!”
Behind the humour, however, was a more important message. Jordan remembers wondering whether the long hours, studying and hard work would eventually pay off. Looking back, he would reassure his younger self that they do.
He encourages aspiring solicitors to work hard, remain approachable and, most importantly, be patient. Experience isn’t something you can develop overnight. Every transaction, client and challenge contributes to your development as a lawyer. Mistakes will happen along the way, but what matters is learning from them and using those experiences to become a better solicitor.
Final Thoughts
Jordan’s journey is a reminder that building a legal career takes time. From spending 18 months looking for his first opportunity to progressing from paralegal to Senior Associate, his experience demonstrates the importance of perseverance, professional development and learning from the people around you.
For aspiring solicitors, the message is simple: you don’t need to know everything when you walk through the door. Be willing to learn, take opportunities even when they involve short-term sacrifices and give yourself time to develop.
After all, as Jordan reminds us, the hard work does eventually pay off.