Graduate Mentor supports change within the legal industry, with more firms offering inclusive opportunities for professional development within the field. Find out first hand from Bond Turner Trainee Solicitor Sarm Aghahoseini about his own career journey to date.
What inspired you to follow a career in law?
When growing up, I always wanted to do something that could help people and change their lives for the better. I always had a deep fascination with medicine (probably inspired by my Dad), and I had an aptitude for writing, speaking, articulation and persuasion in school, as opposed to science and maths. When you put those three things together, a career as a Clinical Negligence Solicitor seemed the perfect fit. I would be able to help people who have suffered traumatic injuries through no fault of their own, whilst working in a field which I am genuinely interested in.
Can you tell us about your career journey?
My journey started at the University of Liverpool, where I studied Law (LLB) and graduated with a First in 2018. I initially planned to move back home to York but found myself a role as a Paralegal at an international firm. I was fortunate enough to be selected to go to Brazil to work with the team out there for a month and meet many of the clients whom we were representing.
After a year of experience, I commenced my Legal Practice Course (LPC) part-time at the University of Law, Liverpool Campus. I studied this alongside a Masters (MSc) in Law, Business and Management. This was a two-year course and was very demanding, particularly whilst balancing a full-time job, however, I am proud to say that I graduated with a distinction in both my LPC and Masters.
I started at Bond Turner to pursue the area of law I was most interested in, Clinical negligence, in October 2021 and commenced my training contract in September 2022. I am due to qualify in March 2024.
What advice would you give to aspiring lawyers currently at university or just graduating?
My first piece of advice would be to get some legal experience. Contrary to my own advice, I left university with no legal or work experience at all. Try and secure a summer work experience placement so you can get a flavour of what it is like to work in a law firm while showing potential employers that you are proactive and eager to learn.
My other piece of advice would be to work hard. It sounds a bit cliché but there really is no substitute for working hard. All of the best lawyers that I have worked with have been dedicated to their job, putting in additional hours and going the extra mile for their clients.
It is also important to keep up to date with any recent developments in the field and keep expanding your knowledge.
What does a typical day look like for you as a trainee solicitor?
I wake up at 5am and go to the gym before work and so I usually get into the office just after 7am. The first thing I do when I get into the office is make a coffee whilst my computer loads up. After that, I will check my emails and task list to prioritise the tasks that need completing on that day.
I tend to start my day with the tasks that require the most thinking, analysis and brainpower, as I find that I am sharper in the mornings and the office provides a nice and quiet working environment.
The rest of the day is then spent working through my task list, which often includes reviewing expert evidence, drafting letters of claim, reviewing medical records, drafting schedules of loss, making offers of settlement or even negotiating settlements with the Defendant over the phone. Towards the end of the day, I will note the tasks I have completed in my training diary, which I need to keep on top of weekly.
Training Principal and Director at Bond Turner, Sara Stanger, said: “It’s important to us as a firm to be able to provide a gateway into law for anyone who has the passion, dedication and work ethic to succeed, despite their background. That’s where our Anexo Academy Training Programme comes in, offering multiple pathways to legal qualification for people at varying stages of their career journey, including graduates. The legal landscape is changing and we’re championing diversity and fair opportunities within the sector.”
