Vinny Kennedy

Vinny joined Northumbria's Law School in 2018. She qualified as a solicitor in 2006 specialising in Private Client (wills, estates, trusts, mental capacity). Vinny believes that her practice background positively impacts on her approach to teaching and research. Students have the benefit of real-life examples of the theoretical law that they are learning. This helps them to better place such theories into context, assisting the development of their understanding of the law. 

Vinny teaches on a number of undergraduate and postgraduate modules, which are predominantly aligned to her practice background. Such modules include Equity & Trusts, Wills & Estate Administration, Solicitors Accounts as well as supervision of students in the Student Law Office. Vinny also has experience as a programme leader, making her familiar with Departmental and University policies and strategies.

As a solicitor Vinny is aware of the importance of balancing theory and practice. As such Vinny has published and presented on clinical legal education and the impact of such on students and the profession. She is also part of the Clinical Legal Education Research Interest Group.

Having focused on Private Client for so many years Vinny is also continuing to develop an understanding of the impact of the law on the elder. Her research interests are within the area of adult social care, and the extent to which local authorities are able to deliver their legal obligation to promote the well-being principle in the Care Act 2014.