Laura McQuitty is an Associate Professor and the National Lead of Dispute Resolution, Professional Development at the University of Law. Laura was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 2000, and undertook her pupillage at the Chambers of William Clegg QC, 2 Bedford Row. For the next 8 years Laura practised as a barrister in London at the Chambers of Michael Lawson QC, 23 Essex Street, specialising in criminal and regulatory law (in particular the Police Disciplinary Tribunal). Laura’s work included conducting jury trials covering a range of offences and appearing at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at The Hague (ICTY). During her practice, Laura also delivered Continuing Professional Development lectures to solicitors in the area of Serious Sexual Offences and Vulnerable Witnesses: A Practical Guide to Legislation and Preparing for Trial.

In 2008, Laura moved into legal teaching at the (now) University of Law in Birmingham where she is an Associate Professor. Formerly Head of Civil Litigation on the Bar Professional Training Course (Birmingham campus), Laura taught Civil Litigation and the associated skills on the BPTC, as well as Dispute Resolution on the Legal Practice Course. She was accredited by the Advocacy Training Council in September 2009 following her first attempt; became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2011; was appointed an Associate Professor in 2017; and was nominated for a National Teaching Fellowship in 2018.

Laura designs and delivers a range of CPD training for practitioners at all levels, with a specialism in advocacy skills. Her current area of research is focused on the legal learning environment, and in particular, how vocational learners are supported throughout their period of training. The aim of the research is to explain why this category of law learners require support and how training providers (including chambers and firms) can provide that support in a safe space within which the learner can learn, but also how they can assist the learner in developing the skills of resilient practitioners required by both themselves, their clients and their employers.