I studied history at the University of Warwick, and I decided late on in my degree that I wanted to become a commercial lawyer. Aspiring Solicitors was a massive factor in helping me to bridge the gap to applying for vacation schemes and training contracts. As someone with a long-term health condition, I was worried that this would prove to be a barrier to pursuing a career in law. However, after taking part in an AS Mentoring scheme I was presently surprised to encounter lawyers who actively thrive with disabilities or long-term health conditions in the industry.

Aspiring Solicitors has been a massive support during my legal career journey. This included mentoring and application guidance as part of the Aspire programme, taking part in the Commercial Awareness Competition 2021, and the Headstart scheme ahead of my TLT vacation scheme.

I am honoured to now be a Professional Ambassador at an inclusive firm like TLT. I’m happy to answer any questions on working at TLT, the application process, seeking reasonable adjustments during applications and in the workplace, adapting to life as a trainee, or anything else that you would like to ask!

It is important to me that diversity also extends to helping people overcome barriers that other people may not see as well as other more visible diversity strands. I’ve always felt that embracing my condition has helped me demonstrate skills that I would not otherwise have been able to express. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions.

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I am a member of Travers Smith’s Enable group and am involved in various disability inclusion activities inside and outside of work. I’m also active in EDI more generally. For example, I helped to write the Pensions Regulator’s recent EDI guidance.

I have a number of physically disabling and energy-limiting chronic health conditions.

After state school, I went to UCL for a Philosophy degree, then the College of Law and BPP Law School. I did paid work throughout my studies. I also had caring responsibilities – then and since.

Travers Smith has always been very supportive of my EDI and pro bono activities.

I’d be very happy to provide mentoring support via email, scheduled calls or LinkedIn. Feel free to get in touch.

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I found the work engaging and I enjoyed living in a global city and meeting people from all over the world. I began to consider a career in law. But, at university and in the legal profession, I was unusual in coming from a state school, working during my studies and had grown up in a part of the UK that most of my fellow students hadn’t heard of. As a result, I didn’t always feel like I ‘fitted in’ and developed imposter syndrome. I stuck at it, but ended up completing the GDL during the pandemic, graduating into a non-existent jobs market. I secured work outside of law, during which time I was fortunate enough to be offered a training contract. Fast-forward to 2023. I have started training at TLT – and I’m really enjoying it. I knew when I first attended an insight day with the firm that it was the right cultural fit for me – and completing the vacation scheme affirmed my choice. I felt I could bring my whole self to work, and that all my experiences were valued.

TLT has been recognised in the top 75 employers in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2023. We also have an active Social Mobility Network. I am now keen to pay forward the support I’ve received. I understand the difficulties in securing a training contract and I am happy for you to get in touch if you are interested in joining TLT or seeking general advice about entering the profession.

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I studied French and Linguistics at the University of Edinburgh. Following my degree, I volunteered at Citizens Advice before starting the GDL a year later at the University of Law having secured a training contract at Winckworth Sherwood after taking part in their summer vacation scheme. I continued to work at Citizens Advice part-time while completing the GDL and LPC.

Particularly while I was at Citizens Advice, I experienced the benefits of having a very diverse team with people bringing different experiences and skills to the workplace. At my current firm, Winckworth Sherwood, diversity and social mobility is really important, the firm is taking part in several social mobility schemes and taking steps to reduce inequality and create as diverse a workforce as possible and I am excited to be a part of this.

The post Luke S appeared first on Aspiring Solicitors.

As an Indian born, internationally educated woman who is a first generation lawyer from a lower socio-economic background, diversity is extremely important to me. As an immigrant from another country, whilst applying for law firm applications, I had not come across many individuals in high positions in the legal industry that represented a little bit of me. That is why being an Aspire candidate was extremely influential for me. Not knowing where to begin, how to go about things or whom to approach, Aspiring Solicitors helped me go to various open days, and networking events to see that the legal industry was not something that was out of reach. This was paramount in my receiving a training contract and choosing a firm where I enjoy working as my most authentic self. Having had this experience so far and knowing the importance of diversity it would be wonderful to be a part of the Aspiring Solicitors team and help create further space for more bright minds with a variety of different strengths.

The post Rudrani S appeared first on Aspiring Solicitors.

With having a chronic condition which is invisible, I understand diversity also relates to factors which may not be seen but can equally make opportunities feel more out of reach. I have learnt to embrace my condition and use it to demonstrate skills I may not have developed without it.

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I considered law in the final years of my PhD as I felt academia was not where I wanted to be. Initially, I was advised to pursue intellectual property law but after completing a mini-pupillage, I realised that I was interested broadly in commercial law, particularly disputes.

I have been an active member of Aspiring Solicitors throughout my TC journey, starting from Aspire, VDLF and emerging as a finalist in the Commercial Awareness Competition. This enabled me to understand the legal sector as a career changer, while building on my skills.

I would say that diversity comes in many forms. For me, it was about bringing in perspectives as a STEM student and researcher into the practice of law. I was pleasantly surprised by how my skills from university, such as the ability to deal with large volumes of information and present complex data in a meaningful way, were relevant when I completed vacation schemes. Additionally, being an international student also enabled me to bring in the perspective of South and East Asian markets when I was completing tasks.

Therefore, I would say that treat diversity as a strength while writing applications and participating in assessment centres. Don’t be afraid to bring in your unique perspectives to stand out as a candidate. If I could help you in your TC journey, please do not hesitate to contact me.

The post Akhila, J appeared first on Aspiring Solicitors.

During and post-study, I gained practical legal experience by working within several Paralegal roles. I worked as a document review Paralegal, an in-house Financial Services Paralegal and a Corporate Immigration Paralegal. Throughout my time paralegalling, I was balancing applying for Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts. I spent my time researching the commercial firms and areas of law that were of interest to me. In addition, as I had been a member of AS since university, I had taken part in numerous AS networking events and application workshops. Through these various experiences, I was fortunate enough to gain two Training Contract offers.

As a first generation, ethnic minority lawyer, I am extremely passionate about promoting diversity and increasing access to the legal profession. Throughout the application process, I realised how valuable our diverse backgrounds are and that it is in fact a strength when applying to firms. A key component of the legal profession is connecting with people – our diversity make us unique and allows us to relate to, and understand, a whole variety of different people beyond simply the legal industry.

I have personally and professionally benefitted from having mentors and wish to pay it forward to the next generation of future lawyers. I understand how challenging and competitive the process of securing a training contract can be. Therefore, please feel free to get in touch – I am more than happy to provide support and answer any questions!

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