Sophie Hanson

Sophie commenced her First Six pupillage in October 2025, under the supervision of George Wills.

Experience 

Sophie worked as a paralegal at a London criminal defence firm for two years, where she managed a diverse caseload in both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. Her cases included serious violence, sexual offences, drug offences, weapons offences, and property offences. Alongside her own files, she assisted partners and senior solicitors on complex matters, and represented clients at the police station.

Before moving into criminal defence, Sophie was part of the legal team on the UK’s largest public inquiry, gaining valuable insight into high-volume document review, disclosure, and investigatory processes.

Prior to commencing pupillage, she gained exposure to regulatory law, acting for professional regulators in the preparation of fitness to practise and disciplinary proceedings. She also broadened her experience in dispute resolution, assisting on multi-jurisdictional litigation involving high-profile corporate clients.

Since 2022, Sophie has volunteered with StopWatch, an organisation that challenges the disproportionate use of stop and search and campaigns for fair and accountable policing.

Qualifications

• BPTC, Inns of Court College Advocacy (2024)
• MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Oxford (2021)
• LLB (Hons) Law, University of Reading (2019)

Awards

• Middle Temple Astbury Bar Scholarship 
• Kalisher Wadham Scholarship 

Memberships

• The Honourable Society of Middle Temple
• Women in Criminal Law