Other | Aspiring Solicitors - Law Careers Diversity Advice

Sharleen K

Simranjeet Mann — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 11:28:49 +0000

As an international student, I quickly became aware of the challenges I would face as an aspiring solicitor in the UK. Demonstrating my dedication to practicing law in a foreign country and building a successful corporate career was particularly difficult. Additionally, I had to navigate an environment where race and ethnicity were factors I had never previously considered. However, I soon realised that embracing my diverse background was crucial and began celebrating this in my applications. I focused on selecting firms that catered to my professional and individual needs. Aspiring Solicitors played a key role in this journey, proving essential to my success in securing a vacation scheme and, ultimately, a training contract.

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Samantha J

Simranjeet Mann — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:56:24 +0000

I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, where I completed my law degree as a first generation university student. After working in competition law at a firm in South Africa for three years, I received a full scholarship to study my masters degree in the UK. I now work at Kirkland & Ellis in the competition team, as a South African qualified lawyer, advising on transactions across the world. I am not admitted to practice in the UK but form part of a diverse, international team of lawyers – every day is a reminder as to what our different training and skillsets can bring to our cases and to the workplace.

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Priya T

Simranjeet Mann — Tue, 28 May 2024 11:49:40 +0000

I attended a local state school which was marked as being in ‘special measures’ and required a lot of intervention from Ofsted. I was selected to be part of an ‘Accelerated Cohort’ which meant I completed my GCSEs a year ahead of my peers and resulted in me completing my A-Levels earlier too. Throughout my education I also worked part-time in retail at companies such as McDonalds, IKEA and Sainsburys. I learnt that coming from a less privileged and more diverse background is something which I should embrace and not necessarily hide.

I then went on to study Law at The University of Birmingham, during my 2nd year of studies I was successful in being appointed as the Campus Brand Ambassador for BCLP.

I left University not having secured a Training Contract and decided against enrolling on the LPC. I worked as a paralegal for 2.5 years, in Real Estate at various firms such as Gateley and Womble Bond Dickinson.

I was offered a direct Training Contract with Pinsent Masons which commenced in September 2023. My first seat was in the Corporate team and I am currently sat in my second seat in the Planning, Environment, Energy and Infrastructure team.

If you can see it, you can be it. And I believe that’s important when trying to break the barriers which people face when trying to enter and become successful in their chosen career. I am passionate that workplaces need to better reflect the world we live in and by embracing diversity you can ensure every voice is heard, valued, and respected.

This will not only increase employee engagement and morale but, a workplace which is made up of people from different backgrounds is one which can offer new and more innovative approaches in decision-making and in turn used to the advantage of the company to help it succeed.

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Andrew WB

Florence Betteridge — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 13:59:04 +0000

I am a 3pqe associate at Simkins, specialising in technology and intellectual property issues in the media and entertainment sector. My clients range between small start ups, major advertising agencies, technology providers, talent (mostly in the music sector) and major music-rights holders and organisations. Recently my focus has been building a practice in the video game space, and advising on AI and Web3 issues.

Prior to joining Simkins I spent a year working as a Search Engine Optimisation Analyst (during the gap between obtaining a TC and starting the LPC). I did my LPC in Bristol and trained at Burges Salmon, before moving to Simkins as an NQ.

I think providing people looking to enter the industry with guidance on the system and with connections is incredibly important. Not everyone is starting from the same position, and I’m grateful that I’m now is a position to be able to help others.

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Carl W

thanooshan — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 14:01:59 +0000

I am an Associate in the Debt Finance team at Goodwin, specialising in Fund Finance. Prior to joining Goodwin, I worked as a Vice President at a global financial institution, and before that, as an Associate in the Banking team at an international law firm.

I’m passionate about helping to create an inclusive industry where everyone is supported and encouraged to form the career they want and deserve. I also strongly believe that DEI is key to an organisation’s success – a diverse team brings with it diverse ways of thinking and operating, which I believe is fundamental to being a successful law firm. Since starting my legal career in 2017, I have been able to see both the positive strides that have been made in the City, but also how much work there is left to do.

I would be delighted to have a conversation with any aspiring lawyers to share my experiences and
learn of new perspectives.

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Éirinn M

Florence Betteridge — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:20:18 +0000

Until the point I was accepted at BCLP I had very little legal experience. I had done two weeks of work experience shadowing two different criminal solicitors at two different firms. The one thing I learnt was that I knew I did not want to go into criminal law and therefore found myself needing to research into new areas of law. It wasn’t until my law degree that I came across and was able to study commercial and business law as well as contracts which motivated me to apply to the legal placement scheme at BCLP. I was lucky enough to be accepted into their Business and Commercial Disputes department where I have been working for the past 6 months and will continue to work until August of this year. During my time here I have been afforded many opportunities to help with my career path and have been able to learn so many new and practicable skills from the team.

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Stephenie O

matthewwdl — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 10:40:02 +0000

Born to ethnic Chinese parents in Malaysia, I moved to Singapore at fifteen on a scholarship and then to London for university. After many job rejections, I started out as an auditor in a graduate programme and eventually worked my way back into the legal profession. I also live with mental health difficulties. But, having only been diagnosed during my second year of university, I struggled with understanding and getting the help I needed up until the earliest years of my professional career.

I’m where I am today mainly due to the time and effort many have generously offered over the years; I can only hope to pay that forward an AS Professional Ambassador. I believe diversity drives not just a broader and more critical mind, but a more compassionate and empathetic community. To even the most cynical, there are indisputable commercial advantages to a solicitor with an international outlook, the ability to form meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues, and the capacity to think about any given problem with more breadth and depth.

I’m more than happy to provide AS members with as much help as they need, including answering questions about the firm, sharing more about the challenges I have faced, and mentoring where possible.

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Elizabeth L

matthewwdl — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 10:29:46 +0000

I’m a Partner in Employment at Bird & Bird, as well as a Diversity Partner and part of the London Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

I advise on all aspects of employment law, with clients in a wide range of sectors including organisations in the IT sector, airlines, advertising, financial services and manufacturing, and I also act for executives. I’ve acted in a number of reported cases, including representing Jet2.com against BALPA in High Court and Court of Appeal cases on collective bargaining and the National Union of Mineworkers against Arthur Scargill in relation to his Barbican flat.

I have extensive experience in the discrimination field. I have written widely on topical employment law issues in the national press including The Times and have appeared on BBC News and on radio commenting on such topics. I’m recognised as a leading practitioner in Who’s Who Legal Employment and Labour 2019.

I’m actively involved in its wide ranging initiatives both in the UK and internationally, including its award winning social mobility and gender-based programmes. I also have three daughters and have worked in the past on a part-time basis for several years.

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Brenna B

matthewwdl — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 08:22:31 +0000

After approximately 18 years working in IT, I decided to become a lawyer, at first undertaking the GDL part-time while working full time. Going back to university in my late 30s was a challenge in itself. On top of that, I lacked knowledge of both the UK legal and university systems since I had immigrated from Canada with an undergraduate degree in medical informatics. Not only was I the first person in my family to ever go to university, I am the only lawyer. In fact, before starting my GDL, I had only ever spoken to two lawyers: my software company’s in-house counsel and the solicitor who purchased my house.

Becoming a solicitor is not without its challenges for anyone. Yet there are some issues which are some what unique for career changers: it can be difficult to convince a potential employer that you are happy to give up a well-paid, managerial role and become a trainee photocopying bundles late into the night. Additionally, there are many moments of insecurity and doubt when starting from the bottom later in life. Fortunately, I found a firm that is exceptionally supportive and sees the value of diversity.

In my experience, having a different background has been immensely beneficial to me as a solicitor. Clients are diverse: they come from all walks of life and many face diversity challenges in their own jobs. I find being “not the typical lawyer” enables me to better connect with clients which in turn has resulted in a very rewarding career.

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Anisa R

matthewwdl — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:21:21 +0000

I completed my first year of Law at Hertfordshire University in 2012 and transferred to Oxford Brookes to complete my second and third year. I graduated with a 2.1 in 2015. Shortly after, I completed a vacation scheme with Penningtons Manches in Basingstoke where I worked in the Private Client department.

After my vacation scheme, I took time out to work and travel. I had various jobs ranging from administration to legal work to ensure Law was the right career for me. I took time to learn more about the legal profession by attending law fairs, legal webinars and events.

In 2019, I moved to Manchester to complete the LPC LLM full-time. I was awarded a Distinction in January 2020 and soon-after commenced work as a Paralegal for DWF. Here, I was a member of the race & ethnicity committee and took part in a reverse mentoring scheme.

Whilst gaining experience as a Paralegal, I applied for vacation schemes and training contracts. In the spring of 2021, I secured two vacation schemes which were to commence in Summer 2021, however I turned these down to accept a Training Contract with Kennedys. My training contract began in August 2021 and took seats in Employers Liability and Public Liability, Property, Energy and Construction, Crime and Regulatory and Employment.

I am very passionate about diversity, equality, and inclusion. I am a mixed-race, born in Kenya but of British citizenship from birth. I attended a Catholic School despite being Muslim and have knowledge of all other religions. I pride myself in respecting others regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexuality, education etc.

I qualified as a Solicitor at the end of August 2023, and I now work as an Associate in the Property, Energy and Construction team at Kennedys in Manchester. I would love to help others with their journey into the legal profession. Please feel free to message me!

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