Interview with Future Allen & Overy Trainee Solicitor Hafsah Nawaz

Can you briefly introduce yourself and discuss your legal journey thus far?

I'm Hafsah, I'm 20, and I've just finished studying Law at the University of Manchester. Having secured a training contract with Allen & Overy early in second year, I'll start the Legal Practice Course (LPC)/LLM in January 2022, to join the firm in September 2022.

Why did you decide you wanted to become a solicitor?

Many people choose to study Law at university because they want to become a lawyer later on. For me, I originally chose to study Law because I had a genuine academic interest in the subject. Only through work experience and exposure to firms via external mentoring programmes and networking events did I start considering a legal career. In my first year, I got involved in a lot of things across the legal profession to figure out what I enjoyed and what suited me best. After participating in a moot and a mock trial, I quickly wrote off becoming a barrister; I enjoyed the thrill of oral advocacy, but I didn't see myself enjoying the career itself. I then focused on the solicitor route, which I reaffirmed through networking, first‑year schemes, and open days.

What made you decide to go into commercial Law?

As someone who likes to make informed choices, I engaged with many types of firms before deciding to pursue commercial Law. The biggest factor in this decision was that commercial Law involves business, economics, and current affairs. These topics align with my interests, so commercial Law struck a good balance.

Why have you chosen to complete your training contract at Allen & Overy?

Three key aspects stood out to me about A&O. First, they emphasise a "future‑facing" mindset in their trainees. This resonated with me, as I make decisions today with tomorrow in mind. In my interactions with people at the firm, this mindset was clear, and you could tell it fostered a strong culture.

Secondly, A&O's practice areas align with my interests. They're known as one of the best firms for banking and finance – I really enjoyed modules related to these areas during my degree.

Thirdly, I think A&O is well adapted to respond to challenges posed by the changing legal sector, which means it will remain a strong firm for a long time. Their focus on innovation shows this, and integrating tech work into trainee tasks means I can look forward to a better training experience that better reflects clients' demands and the profession.

How did you use extra‑curriculars, such as being on the committee for Manchester University Law Society, to your advantage on applications?

When I was making applications, I was the Careers Officer at MULS. My biggest task was organising our Annual Careers Dinner, which came with a wealth of application material. I was able to highlight skills I developed in the role, for example, managing responsibility; communicating effectively when liaising with vendors and sponsors; and managing my time and organisation around coursework deadlines and part‑time work. I think extra‑curricular roles are a fantastic way to demonstrate the competencies employers look for, while also showing them you have a life outside your degree.

For students who may lack legal work experience at this stage, how do you think they could use a part‑time job to their advantage on applications?

It is always worth emphasising that legal work experience is not a prerequisite for applying for law‑related schemes or jobs. If you can hold down a part‑time job at university while maintaining a social life and extra‑curricular interests, this shows you are committed, capable of managing your time, and able to handle a lot of responsibility. These skills, among others, are competencies you can apply to the legal profession. In this respect, how you talk about your experiences matters more than the experience itself.

What was your experience working as a Brand Ambassador for Allen & Overy, and would you recommend working as a campus ambassador to other students?

I had a great time working as a Brand Ambassador and would thoroughly recommend it to others. Not only does the role provide skills that will be valuable in an application or interview, but if you are representing a law firm in particular, you can use the role to get your foot in the door. For instance, in my role I was able to visit the firm's offices, talk to people across the firm, and, most importantly, hear directly from the graduate recruitment team what they're looking for. Most brand ambassador roles are flexible around your studies, and the extra money is useful either way.

Do you have any advice for someone applying to a Magic Circle firm about the application process?

For any firm, not just Magic Circle, it's important to demonstrate your interest persuasively. Since most applicants start their firm research on the firm's website, it can be hard to stand out. Going beyond the internet is crucial if you want to convince the reader that you want to pursue a career with their firm. You want to showcase that you know the firm, and that you can articulate why they're the firm for you. Using insider insights is a good way to do this because it is less generic. Attend events with firms and ask questions to firm representatives when you network.

A common application or interview question asks about a challenge a candidate has overcome. How would you answer this?

Good question. The STAR technique instantly comes to mind. What you would want to do is create a narrative. Highlight the context – where is this challenge coming from? Why is it a challenge? What is the impact of this challenge? This sets the scene for the reader. You would then want to explain the actions that you took to overcome that challenge. Describe them in detail, while implicitly weaving in the competencies the firm is looking for. You want to show that you are committed, ready to take initiative, and able to think outside the box to meet the objective. Importantly, you should wrap up the answer by stating the impact of your actions in overcoming the challenge – did things go better than you expected? What did you learn from the experience? How did dealing with the challenge improve your skills? Finishing this way gives the reader a full picture of how you think and react when things don't go as expected.

Finally, what advice do you wish you had known before applying for vacation schemes or training contracts?

There is no deadline by which you must secure a vacation scheme or training contract. Try your hardest during application season, but don't let it take over your life.