Can you briefly introduce yourself and discuss your legal career so far?
Hello, I'm Zara, and I am currently working as a Commercial, IP & Technology Paralegal at Travers Smith.
I took the scenic route to law, first studying History at UCL before completing the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), a law conversion course. During the GDL, I worked part-time in various non-legal roles and also built informal legal experience. I think it is important to have both! By informal, I mean opportunities accessible through your law school or local court, such as pro bono projects/shadowing a barrister. At the same time, I applied to a handful of law firm open days, including one at Shearman & Sterling.
Shortly after visiting Shearman, I applied for their vacation scheme and secured my training contract, which commences in 2022.
Why did you decide you wanted to become a solicitor?
My first exposure to law came when I was creating blog content as a teenager and started explaining copyright infringement rules for music and images to a friend, who turned around and said, 'Zara, you sound like a lawyer!' And that was that. I ended up loving exploring how law could impact our daily choices and quickly realised that breaking down complex legal concepts into digestible bits that my family and friends could understand was particularly rewarding.
In law, I have had plenty of opportunities to develop professionally and personally, which helped solidify my decision to become a solicitor.
Why did you decide to go into commercial law?
Working as a paralegal helped me decide to go into commercial law. I had the opportunity to work with lawyers on the acquisition of Dennis Publishing, which distributes magazines such as The Week and Men's Fitness. I was fascinated by the lawyers' central role and how they combined theoretical knowledge with business acumen to structure the sale carefully. The Partner supervising the deal kindly invited me to a client call, and I came to understand the negotiation behind significant business matters, which confirmed that the intersection of commerce and law was what I was most drawn to.
How did you find the transition from studying History at undergraduate level to studying the GDL?
I found History a versatile degree with strong transferable skills for the legal industry, but I preferred studying law because I found it more dynamic. History involves a lot of independent study, with a healthy dose of research, sources, and essays, so you are well equipped for legal cases.
What has your experience been like working as a paralegal?
My experience at Travers Smith has been great. I am honestly very blessed to work with people who care about my well-being and my career progression, and as a bonus, they have a great sense of humour! As I work in a large department covering commercial contracts, technology, IP, and data protection, I have been lucky enough to gain exposure to all four areas. At the same time, the firm offers great training opportunities such as Smart Tech modules and Arabic language lessons.
Would you recommend working as a paralegal to someone who hasn't secured a vacation scheme or training contract by the time they graduate?
Paralegal work offers great insight not just into a trainee's life, but also into how law firms operate, their business development strategy, and how they build their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes. However, I recognise that COVID-19 has made attaining a TC, let alone a paralegal role, even more difficult. I think it is important to stay open-minded and remember that, in any role, you are gaining transferable skills for your future.
Why did you choose to complete your training contract at Shearman & Sterling?
The two key selling points about Shearman & Sterling are the hands-on training and mentorship I received during the vacation scheme and still receive today, and the emphasis on bringing your authentic self to work. In addition, the firm doesn't compromise on the trust and opportunities it offers trainees, whether that's working on cross-border deals and novel pro bono projects or spending six months abroad at one of the firm's offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, New York, or Brussels.
Do you have any advice on how to stand out in training contract applications?
Be true to yourself; your most honest experiences often connect most with graduate recruiters. I would also recommend attending open days or reaching out to future trainees/paralegals currently working at your firm of interest. If that is not possible, the Aspiring Solicitors Directory is a great way to network with law firms and get insider knowledge that can set your application apart and show genuine interest by going the extra mile.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to apply to an international or US law firm such as Shearman & Sterling?
I would probably dispel some commonly held myths about US law firm culture and working hours. From my experience, US firms can offer hands-on training because they take in fewer trainees each year. Shearman emphasises a no 'face time' culture, so when work is not urgent, the hours really are standard practice. So, my advice is not to let those myths scare you from applying, because many international/US law firms offer trainees rare opportunities to work alongside leaders in their field on headline-making deals, while being supported by a collegiate team.
Finally, what advice have you been given over the years that you found particularly useful and would like to share?
Be proud of who you are, and never shy away from your true values or change your accent, appearance, or personality to fit an idea of what you think lawyers must look or sound like. The greatest power lies in your differences, and that shouldn't hold you back, because it's your story to own.
From the outside, it can look like people have linear journeys to their goals, but that's not true. Everyone's journey to law will be unique.
Believe in yourself, put yourself forward for opportunities, prepare well and work hard, and you will keep moving closer to achieving your end goal.
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