My journey into law wasn't an easy one.
I had no one in my family or friendship group that were lawyers. Those with family members already in the law frightened me. They looked like and breathed 'lawyerism'. I didn't have that and thought everyone around me was better. I lacked confidence.
I came from an Indian family that emigrated to the UK from Africa. My grandparents worked hard to make ends meet. My granddads worked on the railways and grandmas in textile and metalwork factories. They wouldn't have known what a desk job meant. My dad wanted something different, he gained a degree in Graphic Design and set up a printing company in the year I was born. This is where my love of business came. I used to go to his office and help out then go to the law library next door to do my coursework for my law degree.
As I progressed through my degree and onto applying for jobs the lack of confidence and insecurity showed. I had multiple rejections for vacation scheme and training contracts. I thought I was never going to qualify (back then it was mandatory to have secured a training contract with a law firm to qualify i.e. to essentially have secured a job, thank god for the new SQE!).
Nevertheless I was determined to succeed. My parent's lovely next door neighbours helped get me some work experience at what was then a local firm Keoghs, I watched cases in court, I undertook paralegal work at Clearchannel billboards via what was then Hammonds and built up my confidence. I took on a number of roles to demonstrate my skills, I even started a netball team at Law School, despite being pretty rubbish at the sport, to show leadership and teamwork!
Then one day, whilst working for Clearchannel, in Trafford Park a telephone call came from James See, the trainee recruitment manager at Weightmans. He offered me a Training Contract. It was then the best day of my life! This boosted my confidence and I was determined more than ever to succeed in this career.
Despite having two years to start my contract, I decided to take on a paralegal role to hone in on my skills and sharpen my tools. I initially worked for a wonderfully lady, Sarah Grant, at Halliwells, then Peter Whitehead. Although neither was in the areas of law I wanted to practise (I always wanted to be a commercial lawyer), it was still an amazing opportunity to learn and develop. What's more we were then right in the centre of the then newly formed Spinningfields and I watched it evolve over time as well as making some very good friends.
When I started my Training Contract I didn’t take a holiday for 2 years because I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to learn (I even gave up an opportunity to Australia). It wasn’t unusual for me to be the first one in the office and to be the last out when the cleaners started their night shift. I grafted, worked solidly and built up my skills and my confidence. Ultimately, this paid off and led me to my dream NQ role in the Corporate Commercial team which was followed by an even dreamier General Counsel role for Missguided, followed by two further GC roles.
The journey has been hard work and there have been obstacles and challenges along the way but I hope it shows with hard work, determination and the unwillingness to give up, you can really achieve whatever you want.
We can be our worst enemy sometimes and our lack of confidence can get in our way, we must champion ourselves. I also learnt not to focus too much on what other people are doing, things aren't always as they seem. I no longer look around and compare myself to other lawyers around me.
On this National Mentoring Day I therefore want to let people know I’m here to help and guide if they need it. I set up Best Version of You and I for this very reason. It's been a passion of mine for many years to share my experiences to help others. I've Chaired The Law Society of England and Wales' In House Network Committee, taught students at The College of Legal Practice spoken at events and written many articles.
Best Version of You and I can provide mentorship to those new to the profession or to in-house roles or even those that have been in those roles for some time but would like some help and support. I hope it will bring courage, confidence and success to lots of other lawyers.
I hope it will bring courage, confidence and success to lots of other lawyers.
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