Legal 500: Brief Encounters

Maab Saifeldin is a trainee solicitor, lawfluencer, and a mother of one. In this episode we discuss Maab's experience with the SQE, working as a paralegal, training in-house, and her less traditional route to qualification.Maab is thoughtful and articulate, and her positivity is infectious. If you're looking for inspiration or motivation to keep going in your legal career journey, give this episode a listen.

Alexander Kardos-Nyheim founded Safe Sign Technologies, a legal LLM (large language model) whilst working as a trainee at A&O Shearman. In August 2024, Alexander sold Safe Sign to Thomson Reuters.In this episode, we chat to Alexander about how legal AI works and how he thinks it will affect the role of junior lawyers. We also explore the opportunities and challenges AI presents to law firms, and what lawyers (and prospective lawyers) can do to stay ahead in the ever-evolving legal tech landscape.Since this podcast was recorded, Alexander and his team have released the Thomson LLM to the market, in what commentators are calling an industry-defining move: the first fully trained LLM specifically for law.

Trainee solicitor and lawfluencer Annabel Field came into the spotlight when she started posting videos of herself acting out case law on TikTok. Annabel spoke to us about the SQE, working as a paralegal before her training contract, and the unique challenges (and rewards) of working in a law firm which specialises in serious injury.

This week, we sit down with Chrissie Wolfe, legal influencer, content creator, and Partner at Nexa Law, to talk about her unique route into law. We talk about:The importance of building your network and broadening your horizonsLearning resilience through rejection and redirectionWhat it’s really like working in medical negligence & cosmetic injury law

Isabel Lightbody - International Arbitration Associate at FreshfieldsWe catch up with Isabel, an arbitration lawyer at magic circle firm Freshfields, as she shares her international journey into law, from studying abroad and working as a lawyer in Germany to qualifying in the UK through a unique cross-border training setup. Isabel reflects on finding confidence and balance in her professional life, developing self-assurance as a junior lawyer and the importance of maintaining interests outside of work to build a sustainable legal career. We go into detail about the specifics of her role as an arbitration associate, from drafting submissions and conducting cross-examinations to what it's really like to manage long-running cross border disputes.

In this episode of Brief Encounters, we speak to Maris Ologeh, a trainee solicitor at HSBC. Maris shares journey from growing up in Nigeria to starting her legal career in the UK. We discuss how working part-time jobs and doing extracurricular activities gave her a competitive edge when applying for training contracts, the realities of working in-house for one of the world's biggest banks, and the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and getting an early start in building a successful legal career.

Joining us this time is Thorrun Govind - The Legal Pharmacist - a dual-qualified pharmacist and solicitor at law firm Brabners.Thorrun is a former Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and a powerful advocate for diversity in the profession. In a wide-ranging and thought-provoking discussion, we cover:How Thorrun's healthcare background enhances her legal practice and advocacy.The myth that law is only for those with perfect grades or traditional backgrounds.The importance of mentorship, staying adaptable in your career, and finding purpose through variety, collaboration, and a passion for public service.

Sharing his journey with us is Walker Syachalinga - An associate at Leigh Day.Walker talks to us about growing up in Zambia and witnessing first-hand how the law can be a force for justice, why trying out different practice areas during your training contract is key to finding your best fit, and the importance of staying focused on your own path - and not falling into the comparison trap.

Asiyah Randera - Trainee at Staffordshire County Council and emerging LinkedIn influencer.On the brink of qualification, Asiyah spoke to us about training at a council as opposed to a law firm, the importance of perseverance and self-belief on the long (and daunting!) road to getting a training contract, and her top tips for deciding what area of law you want to work in.

Jon Gregson - Partner at Weightmans' Employment practice and popular LinkedIn Legal Influencer.A longtime partner and prolific LinkedIn poster, Jon spoke to us about demystifying the process of getting a training contract, how to know when you've found the right firm, and about the challenges, both personal and professional, that he faced throughout his career.