Welcome to the eight blog post for TheLawyerFiles!
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In this edition, we feature Titomi Sokoya LLB LPC LLM, a trainee solicitor at HM Courts & Tribunal Service (HMCTS) whose journey into the legal profession underscores the power of early ambition, mentorship, and faith. From engaging in spirited dinner table debates during her youth to gaining firsthand experience at Gatehouse Chambers, Titomi’s path reflects a deep-seated passion for law. Her involvement with esteemed firms like Hogan Lovells, Linklaters, and Netflix has broadened her perspective on the legal field’s vast opportunities. Beyond her legal pursuits, Titomi is a dedicated mentor, public speaker, and mezzo-soprano singer, using her voice—both literally and figuratively—to inspire and uplift others. Her story serves as a testament to the importance of resilience, community, and staying true to one’s values in the pursuit of a legal career.
Let’s dive in! 🚀
1. You’ve held roles across the public and private legal sectors, as well as in youth leadership and mentoring. What originally inspired you to pursue a career in law?
Law was my interest. I always was encouraged to speak my mind and would have dinner time debates with my parents and it was encouraged. Then I sought out experience during secondary school in a court. My university required me to get more legal work experience before starting my law degree so I went to Gatehouse Chambers for work experience and during second year Uni I applied and was selected for a mini pupillage at the same chambers.
2. You’ve participated in events with firms like Hogan Lovells, Linklaters, and Netflix. What’s been the most eye-opening moment from these experiences?
I think upon entering spaces like this your perspective changes and realise there is so much room in the legal profession and that you just need to reach. There are so many avenues into the legal profession now so no one should feel it’s unattainable to become a lawyer. I want to particularly mention Clifford Chance fireside chat with I Stephanie Boyce. At that event they gave us a book that they give to trainees called ‘Think Big’ by Dr Grace Lordan. It’s a book showing how to take small steps to build the future you want. Giving us the resource was really good because it shows that they invest in their people even as future trainees. It matters how firms treat people so shout out to them for that and to Chloe and the early careers team.
3. You’ve done work with the Citizens Advice Bureau—how has that experience shaped your client empathy or advocacy style?
Obviously the CAB is a service that is for everyone and consequently you encounter different people working there. I was a Gateway Assessor and assessed people in 15-20min sessions to help them with the issues they faced. I would also give them assisted information from the CAB site. It definitely made me more attuned to issues people face. This helps me in my current role as a legal advisor to assist unrepresented legal defendants. A lot of times people have never been in a court setting so it’s important to understand that and adapt your advocacy style for example call them by their surname instead of ‘the defendant’
4. You describe yourself as a public speaker and thought leader. How do you use your voice to impact the profession—especially for women and minorities?
I actually will agree to do things like this. Share my experience & hope it reaches the right audience. If I see a post on LinkedIn about someone looking for work I’ll reach out share my experience or an agency that could assist them and ask the person who posted to share with others. My circle has a lot of people like me (ethnic minority) in it so I share opportunities within my circles. I’m glad you reached out to me too. So it works both ways. I signed up to be a mentor with Bridging Barriers & my mentee was a young lady who reminded me of myself.
5. You call yourself “a voice of blessing” and mention your mezzo-soprano vocal talent. How does music or spirituality play into your professional
My faith informs my profession because I believe the Lord Jesus Christ has ordained me to be in the role. I’ve obviously done an interveiw, passed and was selected. I believe I was favoured by God to get the job. This means that God used the interviewers & allowed them to show me favour. The bible tells me the hearts of men are in God’s hands and he turns them the whichever way He wills. So when I remember that I praise God, worship is a demonstration of gratitude by living an obedient Godly life but also can be shown with a song. So I will sing whilst on a walk during my lunch break declaring God is good for example. This will strengthen me to keep going. As you know I’m on a training contract with 15 months left so I need strength because it’s a lot of work.
I actually also won a singing competition run by my university BPP & I won free Spotify Premium for 1 year. So music has always helped me through my profession & there is science to prove that music helps with stress. Law can be a stressful profession so even practicing my vocal exercises can be a calming activity. Furthermore, warming up and down my voice daily strengthens and preserves my vocal muscles. This is important especially as I use my voice in my job which involves a lot of speaking.
Titomi Sokoya LLB LPC LLM – https://www.linkedin.com/in/titomisokoya/
Trainee Solicitor | Youth Coordinator | Public Speaker | Thought Leader | A voice of blessing (Messo Soprano)
Thank you for reading the eight edition of TheLawyerFiles!
I hope Titomi’s journey has given you inspiration and encouragement—especially if you’re carving your path through law, seeking mentorship, or balancing ambition with faith. Her story is a powerful reminder that passion, community, and staying grounded in your values can carry you through the demands of a legal career. Whether it’s through her voice in court or her voice in song, Titomi continues to lead with purpose and generosity.
🎧 Stay tuned—our podcast episode with Eve is coming soon, where we’ll explore her experiences in greater depth and uncover more lessons from her time at Freshfields. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!
Until next time—keep learning, keep growing, and keep moving forward with purpose. 🌍⚖️
—Denice Obeng 🙂
