On 7th February 2024, as part of Race Equality Week, the College hosted a panel session to empower and support ethnically diverse students and junior lawyers.
The panellists shared their experiences and advice on progressing in law, and this article shares their guidance for aspiring lawyers.
“I don't want anyone growing up or being in the same position as I was. So it's important for me to create that inclusive environment in the legal profession.” Ramsha
Panellists:
- Bal Atwal: In-house solicitor with West Midlands Police, specialising in commercial property and commercial law. Bal chairs the in-house Committee at Birmingham Law Society and an elected Council member for the National Law Society, where he represents solicitors 0 to 6 years PQE.
- Ramsha Nayab is a newly qualified commercial property solicitor, She initially completed a Business BTEC, then completed a degree in law and psychology, GDL, LPC and Training Contract. Ramsha volunteers with the Muslim lawyers hub.
- Saima Haroon is a director and consultant solicitor with 12 PQE+ in civil and financial services litigation and part of the Women's Lawyers Division. Saima is also a supervisor on The College of Legal Practice’s SQE2 preparation course.
How difficult was it finding a solicitor role as an ethnic minority?
Saima felt that all her peers found progression difficult. A few of her friends had training contracts whilst they were studying the LPC, but everyone she knew, whether from an ethnic background or a white background found it hard to get into law, even for paralegal roles due to the vicious cycle of needing to have experience. All her friends ended up qualifying, but it takes longer.
She felt that the SQE was positive in the sense that it takes away the training contract requirement and acknowledges your experience.
Ramsha applied to a few places for training contracts and initially got rejected. She was successful when she was quite selective of the firms in the Northeast that she wanted to work with, that fitted her views and beliefs. She couldn’t believe when she got her training contract, as she felt she had done badly in the Assessment Centre and interview. Ramsha didn’t have any law experience before then, but had been a teaching assistant and shop assistant.
Top Tip: When you're selecting the law firm, you need to work at it, look for whether it aligns with your own beliefs and values.
How do you deal with imposter syndrome?
Ramsha said that sometimes she does suffer with low self esteem but felt that it had got better over time, with the support she received from colleagues and family. She advised that to help with this, make sure that you celebrate your successes, no matter how big or small and be kind to yourself. She also recommended that you should go out of your comfort zone and do things that you wouldn't normally try.
Bal said that whenever he thinks about imposter syndrome, he breaks it down into internal and the external. The internal is all the stuff that you can control and contrast – for example, when you're a student, am I going to revise well enough for that exam? Am I going to prepare for that seminar lecture? Am I going to get enough sleep the day before? Am I going to eat right? He feels that someone can optimize their performance as a human being or as a lawyer and that we all have that base level of control, give or take depending on your circumstance.
On the external side of things, we are professionals in the workplace. What helps here is whether your workplace is inclusive? Do you have a supportive manager? Do you have a supportive friendship or family group? So, if you have very poor internal control and very poor external control together, that is really when the imposter syndrome comes out more.
Does wearing a hijab affect your career?
Ramsha felt this was a tough one, but she hasn’t had a bad experience in the workplace, compared to early on in her career and at university. At that time, she had a lot of people target her because of her hijab, asking why do you wear that for? Is it really necessary?
Ramsha feels that she doesn’t mind educating people, but sometimes it is the way people say it that can make her feel uncomfortable. But it comes down to thinking of the bigger picture, and if someone's not open and willing to have that conversation, then she can't educate them.
Are firms supporting ethnically diverse aspiring lawyers?
When Bal was in traditional private practice, there was conversation about making processes more open for all. So, whether that's blind recruitment, or having a proper retention scheme in place. Now that he is outside of private practice, he looks at these firms and can see that they're putting together these kind of schemes and infrastructures where they really want to make sure that if you are from a different background, you can see what they are doing to support people like you.
“So in terms of age, in terms of kind of color and background, there is opportunity for you everywhere, because I've seen it, and I've seen it grow over time.” Bal
What is your advice for aspiring lawyers
Ramsha advises
“Don't let your differences be a barrier. A lot of people might say something, but don't let that be a negative factor. Rise above it and try your hardest. And if you put your mind to it, then you'll definitely get to where you're supposed to be and achieve everything you want.”
Saima says
“I would concur with that and add hard work, as my parents have always said will get you there and it will. Also just the best advice that I got as a law graduate was that the legal world is a small place, and it's I suppose it's even smaller now, with everything being remote. So get yourself the best reputation. You come from the start and on your hard work, you will be recognised.
Bal shares;
“Yeah. I agree. Just keep working hard and stay positive regardless of your background and your age. Think about your future as opposed to your past”
Thank you to our panellists for sharing their valued views and lived experiences.
Interested in hearing more?
You can:
- Watch the full panel session
- Subscribe to ensure you hear about the next EDI event hosted by the College