Thiloka A

Profile:

I am a Trainee Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell LLP. I graduated from a non-Russell group university in 2018 and went onto do my LPC and MSc at The University of Law. As with most training contract applicants, I struggled to land a training contract straight after my studies and so, to build my experience and to expand my network, I became a Paralegal at Irwin Mitchell. I then secured a Training Contract with the firm.

I am a British Asian who grew up in a small town. I went to a state school and went to a non-Russell group university. There were many instances where I was made to feel that my ambitions should be suppressed because of my ‘disadvantageous’ background.  I was made to feel I was not good enough to become a lawyer and that this ambition will always remain a dream.

My advice will always be to acknowledge and celebrate your differences. Make this your unique selling point. Do not let your grades or your background make you feel inferior. Having a story to tell, combined with ample hard work, resilience, and perseverance, will make you an asset to the legal industry. The right firm for you will always celebrate your uniqueness and understand the value that a diverse workforce can bring to a business.

There have been many people within the legal industry that have supported me on my journey and without their advice and support, I couldn’t have persevered. Therefore, I am looking to return the favour and help make the legal industry more accessible to aspiring solicitors in any way I can.

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