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 trained at Baker McKenzie before moving to Kirkland as an associate. While at Baker McKenzie I was a member of the firm’s steering ethnicity steering committee.

I grew up in a single-parent household, with an ethnic minority immigrant mother. So I am very aware of how difficult it can be to feel like you belong somewhere – whether that is school, university or the workplace.

As someone who is now in a position of (relative) power – I feel that giving mentorship and opportunity is a core part of the role I now play in society.

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I married my wife last year and now have two step children and two cats!

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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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As a Psychology graduate, I struggled to understand what law firms look for in their applications and have had to build up my legal experiences much later than the vast majority of other applicants. As an overseas student, I have also experienced the difficulties of adjusting to school life in a foreign country (let alone work life and law firm applications!). I had no connections in the legal industry and was unsure as to where to start.

Having applied for numerous first-year schemes, vacation schemes and training contacts across two application cycles without any success, I really learnt how best to portray my experiences in a way which law firms prefer (and what law firms don’t like!), and what work experiences to look for to build out my CV. Luckily, in my third year of applications, and with some help from various diversity schemes like Aspiring Solicitors, I managed to get a TC offer from the legacy firm, Allen & Overy, and a vacation scheme offer from another Magic Circle law firm.

I believe that with the right guidance and mindset, a diverse background can be an invaluable asset.

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Following my graduation and completion of AS Aspire 2020, I worked as a paralegal at two international law firms. During this time, I continued to participate in AS opportunities such as the annual Commercial Awareness Competition, in which I progressed to the semi-finals in 2021. Shortly after, I obtained a Training Contract at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP following a successful Winter Vacation Scheme in December 2021.

I am passionate about helping diverse candidates as well as assisting in making law an inclusive profession. I became an AS Mentor in 2024 and am happy to discuss my journey to become a trainee as well as assisting others in their pursuit of the same. I also sat the SQE 1 and SQE 2 exams from 2021-2022 and am more than happy to discuss this route with any AS candidates who are thinking of doing the same.

Please feel free to get in touch!

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Unlike many, I did not know I wanted to be a lawyer until after I graduated from my History degree. I explored several options and gained voluntary work experience at a free legal advice clinic and at a charity which gave legal advice to Afghan refugees.

These opportunities provided the foundation of my understanding of the law and relationships with clients. Following this, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I undertook free online work programmes put on by various City firms to experience corporate and commercial law. I then applied for a week’s voluntary work experience at a digital payments company where I sat in their in-house team. I have also always had part-time jobs in retail and hospitality. These experiences contributed to my successful application for the DLA Piper Summer Internship. During the three weeks on the scheme, I sat in Corporate and Financial Regulation and was offered a Training Contract at the end.

I benefited from the schemes organised by Aspiring Solicitors such as AS Aspire, as well as being paired with two mentors from other City law firms. Aspiring Solicitors was instrumental to me securing a Training Contract by supporting with applications, providing 1:1 mock interviews and providing general guidance for navigating the legal sector. I am state-school proud and the first generation of my family to attend university.

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At university, Aspiring Solicitors helped me hugely in providing a framework to guide my research into the law, offering mock interviews, and ultimately highlighting my ‘unknown unknowns’ about beginning a career in commercial law. The Black Aspiring Solicitors mentorship scheme with Stephenson Harwood gave me valuable industry insights that were unavailable elsewhere, as I organised regular catch-up’s with an associate at the firm. I built commercial awareness by preparing a topical presentation for each meeting, whilst also learning about my mentors role and practice area.

Alongside these mentorship sessions, attending open days, workshops, and a Diversity Fellowship at a US law firm, I have made use of a countless number of opportunities and resources which have directed my professional development. I currently work at an organisation which provides interview and application coaching to commercial law candidates, so I have seen first hand how even a 30 minute call to sound out ideas can boost your confidence, giving you more clarity and reassurance in your applications.

Pursuing a career in law is difficult, let alone with the added stress and barriers that come with holding an intersectional background. Please feel free to get in touch with me, and I’d be happy to answer any questions about the legal industry in general or the application process.

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