Changing careers is never easy, especially when it means switching industries entirely. But for Andy, moving from McDonald’s manager to qualifying as a solicitor at DCB Legal felt like a natural next step. Today, Andy is part of DCB Legal’s specialist Property Litigation team.
How It Started: A Non-Traditional Route into Law
Andy joined DCB Legal after being tipped off about an available role by a former colleague. After securing an interview, he joined the firm as a Paralegal and Case Manager within the Bulk Litigation team.
“I started my time at DCB Legal working on small claims cases for a variety of clients. After two years, I was offered a training contract. It’s incredibly competitive trying to get a training contract, and I was grateful to be given the chance.”
During his training, Andy rotated through the civil, commercial, and property departments, gaining experience in debt recovery, rent arrears, and contract disputes. Five years later, he now specialises in possession matters, supporting landlords in recovering both residential and commercial properties.
A Typical Day at the UK’s Leading Volume Litigator
DCB Legal looked quite different five years ago.
“When I joined, the team was smaller and more generalised. Now we have dedicated specialist departments across property, civil/commercial work, and volume litigation.”
One of the biggest challenges is keeping up with demand, especially in property litigation, where legislative uncertainty has driven more landlords to seek legal advice. Most of Andy’s cases involve rent arrears, though strained relationships, antisocial behaviour, and property damage also feature. Some arrears even reach five figure sums, adding significant complexity to the work.
Staying Ahead of Legislative Change
Andy is heavily involved in guiding clients through upcoming reforms, such as the abolition of Section 21 under the Renters’ Rights Bill.
“With the removal of the ‘no fault’ route, we’re focusing on strengthening Section 8 grounds. That includes rent arrears, tenancy breaches, property damage, antisocial behaviour, or the landlord’s intention to sell or move back in.”
His role involves ensuring clients understand not only the current legal landscape, but also how future changes will shape their rights and responsibilities.
What Makes DCB Legal Different?
DCB Legal’s sister company, DCBL, is one of the UK’s largest High Court Enforcement companies and a recognised leader in debt resolution. Together, they provide a unique ‘One Solution’ service, an end-to-end process that seamlessly covers everything.
“We’re the only firm in the country that can handle the full journey, from legal proceedings right through to enforcement, under one roof. It’s seamless, and other firms simply can’t offer that.”
Alongside this capability, DCB Legal is committed to a letter driven approach to debt resolution, focusing on early engagement, litigation, and ethical enforcement where necessary, while always aiming to resolve disputes before they reach court.
Growing Into Leadership
Now five years in, Andy has taken on increased supervisory responsibilities, supporting the Head of the Property Department and overseeing the work of Paralegals.
Continuing to Learn and Looking Ahead
DCB Legal places strong emphasis on professional development, and Andy has developed a particular interest in housing disrepair, which is becoming increasingly significant in possession disputes. Through additional courses and industry seminars, he’s preparing for stricter regulations ahead.
Despite the challenges of the role, Andy describes DCB Legal as a supportive and collaborative place to build a career:
“There’s a great culture of shared success. Everyone is approachable and willing to help. My journey wouldn’t have been possible without the support I’ve had from the firm. If you’re looking to get into the legal field, especially early in your career, I’d highly recommend DCB Legal.”
