University: London School of Economics        
Degree: Law
Year of qualification: 2024
Position: Associate
Department: Dispute resolution
Pronouns: She/her

What attracted you to a career in law?

I always knew I wanted to work in a people-focused career. At A level, I studied a mix of creative and analytical subjects, and realised I was at my best when I could use both sides – thinking critically but also finding creative ways to solve problems. Law felt like the natural place where those skills and interests came together, and the more I explored it, the more it felt like the right fit.

How did you decide which law firms to apply to?

I focused on firms with strong reputations in practice areas I was genuinely interested in – dispute resolution, family, crime, reputation and media. From there, I looked closely at each firm’s culture, seeking places that aligned with my values. My priorities included a genuine commitment to pro bono work, a supportive training environment where trainees are given real responsibility, a good work/life balance, and the opportunity to work in a collaborative and ambitious team. Kingsley Napley LLP stood out for aligning with all of these.

What do you think made your application successful?

I’d previously worked at Kingsley Napley as a paralegal, which gave me a solid understanding of its business, culture and strategic priorities. I was genuinely enthusiastic about training here, and I believe that authenticity came through in my application. A strong application reflects both a clear understanding of what the firm is looking for and why you’re a good fit – tailoring your responses to show that alignment is key.

What do you wish you’d known about being a trainee before you started that you now do?

You don’t need to know everything on day one. It’s easy to put pressure on yourself to have all the answers, but being a trainee is about asking good questions, knowing where to find the answer and learning from those around you – and you gradually build confidence along the way. Realising that eventually took a lot of pressure off and helped me make the most of the experience.

Please outline your area of expertise. What might you do in a typical day?

I work in our dispute resolution team across a broad range of areas, including commercial litigation, civil fraud, contentious trusts and probate, professional negligence, reputation management, contentious intellectual property, and tax disputes. A typical day can include corresponding with clients, counsel and experts, reviewing and analysing evidence to build a clear picture of the background, legal research, considering case strategy and drafting witness statements, letters, advice notes and so much more. We often have internal team meetings and ‘know-how’ sessions, and when a case goes to court, I often have the opportunity to attend the hearings with counsel.

What do you most/least enjoy about your career and why?

I enjoy the variety of work – no two cases are the same. I love learning about clients and their businesses or families, and finding solutions that make a real difference. The least enjoyable aspect (which can sometimes make the work exciting) is the unpredictability, but that’s part and parcel of the work.

How involved are you with business development and promoting the firm?

We were encouraged to get involved with business development early in our training contracts, which has set me up well as a junior lawyer. I have my own marketing budget and am encouraged to organise events or one on ones to build my own network, as well as attend events that the wider team or subgroups are attending or hosting. I contribute to blogs and external publications and am a member of external networks such as the London Solicitors Litigation Association and Young Fraud Lawyers Association.

What makes your firm stand out from the rest?

The unique combination of practice areas and sectors, alongside a strong focus on people and culture. The firm genuinely fosters a supportive, healthy working environment, which makes a big difference day to day.

What skills/strengths do you need to be a successful solicitor?

There are a range of skills needed to be a good solicitor:

• Communication. Being a good listener and speaking clearly – whether that’s with clients, within your team, or negotiating with the other side is key.
• Being level-headed. Matters can get heated (particularly in contentious practice areas) so it’s important to stay grounded, judge situations carefully and help clients focus on what really matters.
• Strategic thinking. You need to plan several steps ahead, anticipate the other side’s approach and develop creative strategies.
• Organisation. Litigation involves strict deadlines, large volumes of paperwork and multiple workstreams – so it certainly can’t hurt to be organised!

What is the wider culture like – eg, are there sports teams/trips out? Is there a LGBT group, women’s group etc?

The culture is open, friendly and welcoming. We have football and netball teams, a choir, a book club, and plenty of socials –  recent highlights include a boat trip on the Thames and white-water rafting. Firmwide parties, volunteering days and team outings make it easy to connect with colleagues. There are also strong internal networks such as KN Families, Social Mobility, Wellbeing, LGBTQ+ and allies, Enable, and REACH (Race Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage), which I’m an active member of. We recently organised our annual South Asian Heritage Month event with a presentation on migration stories, incredible food, and chai and henna.

Does your department largely work independently, in support of another dept or is it routinely supported by other depts?

The dispute resolution team covers a wide range of specialisms and we frequently collaborate with other departments. For example, our reputation management team often support our criminal team. On a recent commercial dispute matter, we enlisted the assistance of our corporate team to help prepare settlement documents. We also partner with private client teams on contentious trust and probate matters.

How often as a trainee were you communicating directly with clients (calls, attending meetings)?

Very regularly. I was trusted with significant client contact from the outset, including attending around 20 witness statement meetings on a single litigation matter. In some cases, I met with clients independently when I had a strong grasp of the issues. The smaller trainee cohort (nine per year) allows for this higher level of responsibility and exposure.

What’re you reading at the moment?

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy