Two young women who grew up on the East Sussex coast have qualified as solicitors at Eastbourne law firm, Stephen Rimmer LLP, proving that ambitious legal careers can be built locally without leaving the communities that shaped them.

Lucy Vickers, from Peacehaven, and Daisy Dyer, from Bexhill, officially qualified as solicitors on 2 March after completing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) while working full-time at the firm’s Eastbourne office.

At a time when many aspiring solicitors feel the pressure to move to larger cities to progress in the profession, Lucy and Daisy’s journey demonstrates that Eastbourne can provide the opportunities and support needed to build a successful legal career.

Their achievement also highlights both their determination and Stephen Rimmer’s commitment to developing talented professionals from the local area, enabling them to train, qualify and build long-term careers close to home.

For Lucy, the ambition to become a solicitor began during secondary school. She later studied Law at the University of Sussex, balancing her degree with part-time work before joining Stephen Rimmer as a paralegal in the family department. From there, she progressed through her training contract while studying for the SQE alongside her full-time role.

Having grown up in nearby Peacehaven, Lucy says qualifying locally is particularly meaningful because it allows her to support people in the community she understands.

She notes, “I understand the pressures and realities that people in this community face. As a qualified solicitor, I want to provide not just clear legal advice, but stability and support during what are often very difficult periods in people’s lives.

“Being able to build my career in Eastbourne while helping local people makes the journey even more rewarding.”

Lucy credits Partner in the Family Law Department, Ben Bradshaw, and Consultant Solicitor, Nicole Lawton, for playing a key role in her development, describing the feedback she received as both constructive and grounded in real practice.

Daisy, who is from nearby Bexhill, followed a similar route to qualification. Like Lucy, she completed the SQE while working full-time at the firm’s Eastbourne office, balancing the demands of legal work with months of intensive study. She commented:

“The exams are challenging, and balancing that with work takes resilience. The firm supported me throughout my SQE studies, and I always felt encouraged both academically and professionally.

“It shows that you don’t need to move away to gain strong legal training and build a professional career.”

During their preparation, Lucy and Daisy often studied together before work and on their days off, something that helped them stay motivated through the toughest stages of the process. Their experience highlights how local firms can nurture and develop emerging legal talent while offering meaningful career progression outside major city centres.

Daisy credited Grant Sanders, Partner and Practice Manager, for supporting her throughout her training contract, and Roy Bridge, Partner in the Residential Conveyancing Department, for sharing his expertise and helping build her confidence in conveyancing work.

Now qualified, both solicitors are building their careers in the Eastbourne office. Lucy plans to develop her own caseload in the family department, focusing on children matters, injunctions and divorce and financial proceedings, while Daisy has chosen to specialise in residential conveyancing, drawn to the fast pace of the work and the opportunity to guide clients through major milestones such as buying or selling a home.

Ben Bradshaw said the firm is delighted to see talented individuals from the local area build their legal careers in Eastbourne.

“Lucy and Daisy have both shown real dedication and resilience. They have trained here, worked hard here and have chosen to continue their careers here. Developing local talent and supporting people to grow into confident solicitors within the community is something we value enormously.”

Need legal support in 2026? As a full-service law firm, Stephen Rimmer LLP can assist you at every stage, from conveyancing and family matters to employment law and wills and probate, providing clear, practical advice to help you move forward with confidence.

To speak to the team, visit the Stephen Rimmer website: https://www.stephenrimmer.com email enquiries@stephenrimmer.com or call 01323 644222.