University: University of the West of England, Bristol     
Degree: Law
Year of qualification: 2020
Position: Senior associate
Department: Commercial, technology and outsourcing, and the sports group

What attracted you to a career in law?

A combination of enjoying problem solving, working with people and being interested in debating/negotiating. Law offered a structured way to apply analytical thinking to real-world situations. It’s a career that constantly keeps you learning and evolving, and that dynamic nature was a big part of what attracted me to it in the first place.

How did you decide which firms to apply to?

I focused on finding places where I felt I could both thrive professionally and genuinely enjoy the culture. I started by identifying what kind of law I was most interested in, commercial/sports work in my case, and then looked into firms with strong reputations in that area. But beyond rankings and practice areas, I paid close attention to what people said about the working environment, team dynamics and mentorship opportunities. I also factored in location, size and training structure. I found that narrowing my list to places where I could see myself genuinely fitting in led to better applications and, ultimately, better options.

What kind of legal or non-legal experience did you have before applying, and how did it help when you were making applications?

Before applying, I had a mix of legal and non-legal experiences that helped shape my understanding of the profession – and, more importantly, helped me show my potential in applications.

On the legal side, I did a couple of vacation schemes and attended insight days, which gave me exposure to the day-to-day reality of working at a law firm. I tried to reflect on what I learned, from how deals progress to how teams collaborate and used specific examples to demonstrate my growing commercial awareness.

But I found my non-legal experience just as valuable. I worked in retail part time during university, which taught me how to stay professional under pressure, communicate clearly and solve problems on the fly.

During applications, I made sure to highlight how both types of experience helped build transferable skills. Law firms know that not everyone has legal experience right away, so showing how you've developed relevant qualities elsewhere can really strengthen your case.

Which departments did you train in?

My seats were:

• property and casualty (international);
• professional and financial risks;
• commercial, technology and outsourcing;
• restructuring and insolvency.

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

My areas of expertise are commercial, technology, data, marketing and sport. A typical day includes reviewing and marking up commercial agreements; liaising with team members (partners, associates and trainees) regarding matter progress; and joining and leading negotiations on behalf of clients.

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

I regularly attend external networking events where I can meet and engage with clients and future clients. Networking events give me a great opportunity to promote the firm and its various capabilities. I also speak on panels and deliver external training relating to my practice areas.

What makes your firm stand out from the rest?

RPC has a reputation for being “strikingly real,” and that’s reflected in everything from our open-plan offices to the way trainees sit alongside partners and are encouraged to contribute meaningfully from day one.

We’re known for our strengths in commercial and insurance law, but what really sets us apart is the culture. There’s a strong emphasis on approachability and support. Partners are accessible and there’s a real sense of camaraderie among colleagues. It’s a place where people are invested in your development, not just your output.

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

Success as a solicitor goes beyond knowing the law; it’s about how you apply it, communicate it and manage the pressures that come with the role.

I’d say strong communication is at the heart of it. Whether you're drafting advice for clients, negotiating a deal or explaining complex legal issues clearly, being able to tailor your communication style is essential.

Resilience and time management play a big part too. Deadlines can be tight and the work can be intense, so being organised and having a calm, solution-oriented mindset makes a real difference.

And finally, teamwork. Law might sound like a solo career, but you’re constantly working with other lawyers, clients and stakeholders. Being collaborative, approachable and supportive helps build trust and makes the job far more enjoyable.

What advice do you have for budding solicitors who are contemplating a career in law?

Start by getting curious – not just about the law itself, but about how it operates in the real world. Law affects every corner of life and business and understanding its broader impact is key. Read the news critically, attend events and ask questions.

What diversity and inclusion initiatives does the firm have in place?

We have an internal Ethnicity Community, which I'm a part of. We also support Aspiring Solicitors and every summer we welcome Interns from the 10,000 Interns programme.

Describe the firm in three words.

Collaborative, innovative and commercial.

What’s been the highlight of the last month at the firm?

The launch of Porter, RPC's proprietary AI assistant developed in-house to support lawyers and business professionals across the firm. Fully embedded within RPC’s systems and workflows, Porter enables faster, smarter legal work, freeing up teams to focus on high-value analysis, judgement and client service.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

Kumasi, Ghana