Welcome to the twenty sixth blog post for The Lawyer Files!
Thank you, as always, for subscribing and following the journeys of legal changemakers. Each edition brings you honest reflections, practical insights, and powerful stories from individuals shaping the future of law with purpose and creativity.
✨ In this edition, we feature Kiyala Matanga — a Future Trainee Solicitor whose journey is defined by resilience, leadership, and a commitment to service. From her early life in the Democratic Republic of Congo to becoming a nationwide speaker, Vice President at The University of Law, and gaining experience with leading firms like Clifford Chance and Slaughter and May, Kiyala’s story is as inspiring as it is multifaceted.
From pioneering TEDx projects and curating groundbreaking networking events, to managing operations at DPD UK and delivering talks for HSBC, Kiyala has consistently shown that leadership is about more than titles, it is about leaving spaces better than you found them.
Her reflections on faith, purpose, and positioning yourself for success will resonate with anyone navigating law from a non traditional background and remind us that ambition and authenticity can thrive together.
If you have ever wondered how to stand out without losing sight of your values, or how to turn challenges into platforms for growth, Kiyala’s journey offers both practical insight and powerful encouragement.
Let’s dive in.
1. You have an incredibly diverse professional background, ranging from entrepreneurship to public speaking to multiple legal internships. What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and how has your journey shaped that decision?
I will start off by saying that my pathway into law has not been linear. Surprisingly, law was not my first aspiration as a kid growing up. My first dream was to become a doctor. This will make much more sense when you understand my background and where I came from. I came into the United Kingdom with my family as refugees because we were fleeing from the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At a very young age I experienced death and destruction caused by the war. My family home in Congo was destroyed, alongside all our possessions, years of beautiful memories ripped apart and turned into ashes. As a result of this, my first aspiration was to save lives because that was quite literally the priority. There wasn’t a great need for corporate lawyers because there was not a functioning society to build upon.
Moving to the UK was life-changing not just in the literal sense but also because it offered me a fresh perspective. I had departed from a reality that simply demanded survival to one that allowed for growth. Joining the schooling system enabled me to develop a wide range of skills. Academically I excelled, I maintained my top set position throughout my school experience. The skill I am most fond of is my ability to critically think because it gave me the courage to challenge the predestined path that was set before me by my previous conditions and pursue something new, something that felt more authentic to who I was. By the end of my GCSE’s, I had decided that I was going to do law.
Commercial law offered me something greater than survival and that was the opportunity to build a better future not just for myself but for society.
2. You’ve held leadership positions such as Campus Vice President and Student Parliament Chairman, as well as delivering a talk for HSBC during Mental Health Awareness Week. How have these leadership and speaking opportunities shaped your confidence and professional presence?
I would say that these positions have given me a platform to display my confidence in public, but I set the foundations to move with confidence in private when I became more intentional about attending networking events. I still remember my first networking event because back then I was not the Kiyala many people know now, I was not confident to approach people or even speak publicly.
My first interaction with networking was at my friends live podcast event. After finishing their live podcast segment, my friends told the audience to stand up and network! I was so afraid because I had never networked with someone before. That feeling of being thrown into the deep end served me well because I learnt something new about myself after attending a few more networking events.
I learnt that I was really good at meeting new people and loved it. The fear was not an indication that this was not for me, it was a reaction to stepping into new territory.
I built my confidence up by speaking to people, which made it easier for me to step into my positions as a Campus Vice President, Student Parliament Chair and Nationwide speaker where I could represent people because by that point I exposed myself to a variety of different people with different occupations and from different backgrounds. I understood people and I had developed my skill of reading a room and catering my communication style to fit my audience.
My leadership positions have given me the opportunity to give back all the information and confidence I absorbed from attending numerous networking events by curating and pioneering groundbreaking networking events at The University of law like the law conference, business conference and TEDx. As a result of my dedication to improving the student experience at The University of Law, I was awarded the President’s Award.
3. From leading TEDx projects to managing operations for DPD UK, you’ve demonstrated adaptability in very different environments. How do you maintain motivation and focus when navigating big career transitions?
I wouldn’t say that I have experienced much of a transition from leading TEDx projects to managing operations for DPD UK, I would say my gift has remained the same, the skills needed for both roles have been interchangeable, the only thing that is different is the mission. Leading the TEDx project required patience, especially when coaching selected speakers. Managing operations at DPD UK also requires patience when managing the drivers in a fast-paced environment. Both roles require a patient approach to teaching and discipline.
I maintain motivation by knowing that operating in my purpose doesn’t look like what I do but who I am in any given position. Some people utilise their positions of power to abuse and dictate, my goal is to inspire, encourage and leave a space better than I found it. I approach leadership with the mindset that I have been granted the opportunity to serve these people with my vision and skillset, so I better use this time wisely.
4. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students or career changers aiming to break into the legal profession from a non-traditional background?
I will give you two. My first one is put God first, as a Christian young woman I have seen the evidence of putting God first in my life, it has given me purpose, expanded my vision, rooted me on a firm foundation, all of which you will need when choosing a pathway that is very competitive and requires endurance to succeed.
Secondly, I encourage all students to position themselves for success. What do I mean by this? Attending legal networking events where you can be surrounded by like-minded individuals, network horizontally and laterally not just because you want to spot the latest opportunity but to have access to the latest information. The legal market is rapidly emerging so it’s important to stay on top of it. I want to emphasise horizontal networking because there is a lot of value to be gained from your peers, you will all one day be the future generation of leading legal professionals, so prioritise that as much as networking with those in higher positions than you. Invest in knowledge outside of academics, whether that’s listening to legal podcasts like Go-legally by Robert Hanna or reading the Ft news. Lastly, build your online presence by documenting your achievements and gained experiences on LinkedIn.
5. You’ve completed internships and virtual schemes with firms such as Clifford Chance, Slaughter and May, Latham & Watkins, and White & Case. What key lessons have you taken away from these experiences?
I learnt about greenwashing, which is when a company misleads the public into believing it’s doing more to protect the environment than it is. I was able to understand the different parts that come together when dealing with a transaction, the environmental and social implications of making cross border transactions and the importance of doing the proper due diligence on environmental claims made.
The key takeaway from all my internships has been how a commercial lawyer puts their knowledge and skills into practice. My understanding of the role of a commercial lawyer has expanded as a result.
Kiyala Matanga – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiyala-matanga-84281b217/
Future Trainee Solicitor | Vice President | Nationwide Speaker | TEDx Host | First Class Law Graduate
I hope Kiyala’s journey has inspired you, especially if you are navigating law school, breaking into the profession from a non traditional background, or figuring out how to balance ambition with purpose.
Her story is a reminder that resilience and service can open doors in law just as much as academics. Whether it is curating TEDx projects, managing operations at DPD UK, speaking at HSBC, or gaining experience with firms like Clifford Chance and Slaughter and May, Kiyala shows us that leadership is about impact, authenticity, and leaving spaces better than you found them.
From overcoming fear at her first networking event to pioneering opportunities for other students, she reminds us that growth in law is not always loud. Sometimes it is built in the background through faith, small wins, and the courage to show up fully in every season.
🎧 Stay tuned — our podcast episode with Kiyala is coming soon on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible (The Lawyer Files), where we talk about building confidence, operating in your purpose, and navigating law with resilience and vision.
We will also explore networking that really works, lessons from top law firm internships, and how to position yourself for success without losing sight of your values.
Make sure you are subscribed so you do not miss it.
Until next time, stay grounded, stay purposeful, and keep building with courage. 🎙️📚⚖️
— Denice Obeng 🙂
