Congratulations to Jack Matthews on Qualifying as a Solicitor

We are proud to share that Jack Matthews has now qualified as a Solicitor, following a period of notable achievement that also saw him featured in the Social Mobility Commission’s State of the Nation 2025 Report. The national publication examines social mobility across all regions of the UK and Jack had been interviewed earlier in the year as part of its research to recognise his commitment to enhancing the legal profession on the matter of social mobility.

Jack’s journey into law reflects the very themes highlighted in the report. He first began exploring a legal career in sixth form when he successfully completed The Sutton Trust’s ‘Pathways to Law Programme’. The initiative, designed to improve access to the legal profession for students from underrepresented backgrounds, provided Jack with invaluable exposure to university life, supported in accessing higher education, provided training in soft skills, and helped demystify the route to becoming a lawyer.

The confidence and clarity Jack gained through the Sutton Trust Pathways to Law programme led him to study Law at the University of Exeter, where he continued to champion social mobility initiatives. Since graduating, Jack has remained closely involved with the Pathways to Law programme at Exeter, returning as a guest speaker at the Pathways to Law Graduation Ceremony, delivering an inspiring address to students and their families, and delivering a legal negotiation workshop at the national Pathways to Law summer conference in Warwick alongside colleagues from Tozers.

His commitment to widening access to the profession was further recognised when he was named runner-up in the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award at The Sutton Trust Alumni Awards - a reflection of the significant time and energy he has dedicated to supporting aspiring lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds accessing careers in Law.

Jack has been actively involved in the firm’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) initiatives and played a key role in establishing Tozers’ ED&I Network, something he is particularly proud of. This has included liaising with local community organisation such as Exeter Pride and helping to run skills workshops for students at the University of Exeter.

Now qualified, Jack joins our Dispute Resolution team, specialising in Contentious Wills & Probate. He will also be supporting work carried out by our Intellectual Property Sub-Team and broader commercial litigation work, further strengthening the team’s offering across a range of complex disputes.

Reflecting on qualifying, Jack said:

“It feels like the past six years have been building towards this moment and yet I still don’t quite have the words to express how I’m feeling - other than immense gratitude for the mentors, colleagues, friends and family who have supported me along every step of the way.

Coming from a working class background, I had no real idea how to become a lawyer, only an eagerness to succeed and a belief that I could one day make it. Pathways to Law opened the door to a career that once felt inaccessible. I’m now incredibly proud to be stepping into my role as a Solicitor and excited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

We are immensely proud of Jack and all he has achieved so far and we look forward to seeing him continue to thrive in this next chapter of his career.