Sam Grimley

Barrister, One Essex Court

I am a tenant barrister at One Essex Court chambers, practising in commercial and intellectual property law, with a particular interest in entertainment and music industry disputes. My work is wonderfully varied: it ranges from court appearances and conferences with clients to legal research, drafting documents, and enjoyable social time spent with colleagues. 

Oxford was a crucial stepping stone towards this career, and I would not be here without the scholarship that enabled me to take up my place. I remain immensely grateful for that support. 

When I came to Oxford to study for the Bachelor of Civil Law in 2021/22, I was at a turning point. My first degree had been in music around 20 years earlier, and in my career as a musician I worked with high-profile artists including Sir Tom Jones, Ed Sheeran and Jessie J. But I needed a new challenge and had just completed a law conversion course. 

I knew that if I wanted to pursue a career at the Bar, Oxford would be the best possible preparation. Without financial assistance, however, it simply would not have been an option for me. The Dean's Scholarship made the difference: it allowed me to take up my place and to make the most of everything Oxford had to offer. 

The experience was both challenging and deeply rewarding. I was taught by leading thinkers in the field and had the privilege of contributing to debates on some of the most pressing legal issues. 

My courses ranged from commercial remedies to copyright law, and even a joint module with the Department of Computer Science where we explored the legal implications of large language models long before the likes of ChatGPT became household names. Just as inspiring was the peer group I studied alongside – some of the most capable and committed law students in the world.