60-second interview with George Badger

What attracted you to a career in law?

I was looking for a career that was academically challenging but also required ‘real world’ problem-solving. During my training contract I found that Private Client work often requires you to translate something technically complex into a practical solution for clients, which is something I find very rewarding.

What do you think is the most important thing STEP does?

By offering lawyers and other professionals such a broad range of training, STEP plays a key role in building trust in the industry among clients. I also think that members benefit hugely from STEP’s regular updates on new legal developments across the world.

Why did you decide to take one of the STEP qualifications?

I was encouraged to take the STEP qualification as an opportunity to develop a solid understanding of the key legal principles to my practice, as well as signposting the range of issues that need to be considered when advising clients.

What would you say to someone who is considering taking a STEP qualification?

I use the knowledge learned from the STEP qualification on a daily basis, so I would encourage them to see it as part of their usual practice rather than a standalone qualification.

You achieved the top mark in your recent exam – do you have any advice for those wanting to do the same?

I would recommend starting early and studying alongside your usual client work as this really helped me to internalise the material and was great preparation for the case study.

One of STEP’s Values is continuous learning. How has the qualification supported your professional development and career growth?

One of the things that I enjoy about Private Client work is that no two problems are the same and it is clear that you will always need to learn on the job. From my experience I would certainly be encouraged to take other STEP qualifications.

Find out more about the STEP Excellence Awards