Dr Audrey Cook

Dr Audrey Cook

Birmingham Law School
Associate Professor
Deputy Head of CEPLER (Advocacy)

Contact details

Address
Birmingham Law School
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Audrey changed her career to law from being an academic at Warwick Business School. After several years in private practice at Pinsent Masons LLP, she moved back into higher education by taking a position at the University of Law as Civil Lead of the Bar Practice Course (Birmingham campus) for three years, before moving to the University of Birmingham in 2022. In addition to teaching, Audrey is Deputy Head of Advocacy at CEPLER, and is Careers at the Bar Lead.

Qualifications

  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2024)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2020)
  • Solicitor, Solicitors Regulation Authority (2013)
  • LLB (Hons.), The College of Law (2011)
  • PhD Organisational Behaviour, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick (2009)
  • MA Industrial Relations and Personnel Management & Chartered Institute of Professional Development Diploma, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick (2005)
  • BA (Hons.) War Studies, King’s College London (2002)

Biography

Following an undergraduate degree in War Studies from King’s College London, Audrey read for an MA in Industrial Relations and PhD in Organisational Behaviour from Warwick Business School. Her research concerned identity formation in the London investment banking sector.

During her PhD she obtained a training contract from Pinsent Masons LLP, and went on to study the GDL and LPC (LLB Hons) at the University of Law. She went on to practise as a solicitor for several years, and her extensive litigation experience includes the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

In 2019 she moved to the University of Law as Civil Lead of the Bar Practice Course, with a focus on teaching civil litigation, dispute resolution and advocacy. Audrey was nominated for the University of Law Tutor of the Year Award in 2021 and 2022.

In 2022 Audrey moved to the University of Birmingham as an Associate Professor. In addition to teaching, in her CEPLER role she supports students undertaking extra-curricular advocacy activities and those interested in pursuing a career as a barrister.

Teaching

Audrey teaches and is a module leader on the LLB Legal Communications & Writing and Legal Solutions modules, and also teaches on the LLB Tort module. She also teaches civic advocacy skills on the MSc Human & Environmental Toxicology with Law programme.