Welcome to the twenty seventh 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 Alya Moktar a trainee solicitor at Kennedys and one of LinkedIn’s Top 200 Legal Influencers, whose path from Malaysia to the UK legal profession is as inspiring as it is impactful.
From waking up at 5am to commute between Leeds and Halifax for her first paralegal role, to using LinkedIn as a platform to challenge misconceptions about international students in law, Alya shows that resilience, visibility, and determination can take you further than you might imagine.
Her passion for litigation analysing arguments, retelling client stories, and fighting for fair outcomes reflects the same spark of justice that first inspired her when watching Veer Zaara. Alongside this, her openness about challenges and her practical advice on applications, visas, and seizing small opportunities make her voice one that every aspiring solicitor can learn from.
If you’ve ever questioned whether your background limits your options, or wondered how to stand out in a crowded field, Alya’s story will remind you that your individuality is your strength and that every role, every connection, and every post can open the next door.
Let’s dive in 🚀
1. What first inspired you to pursue a legal career, and how did your journey from Malaysia to the UK shape your perspective?
Honestly, Shah Rukh Khan in Veer Zaara inspired me. I remember crying my eyes out watching his character being wrongfully imprisoned for 20 years — it felt so unjust. That’s when I decided I wanted to be a lawyer.
Moving from Malaysia to the UK really changed my perspective. Back home, we’re told a “good lawyer” must have a great memory and be an amazing public speaker. But in the UK, I learned there’s no one-size-fits-all. Some law schools don’t even test memory, and if you’re introverted like me, there’s space for you too — it’s called being a solicitor, not a barrister!
2. What were the biggest challenges you faced as a paralegal, and how did you overcome them?
The toughest challenge was distance — I lived in Leeds but worked in Halifax, so I was waking up at 5am to get there by 8. Over time, I adjusted.
The second challenge was the shift from uni to work life. At uni, you’re encouraged to ask questions. At work, you’re expected to try and find answers yourself first. Some firms are very open, others less so, so to be safe I’d always look up the answers myself first before going to my supervisor. It shows initiative.
3. You mentioned you’re excited to specialise in litigation — what draws you most to this practice area?
I’ve worked in both transactional and contentious law, but litigation excites me because I get to analyse the other side’s arguments, retell my client’s story, and fight for a fair outcome — whether that’s a good settlement or success at trial.
4. Congratulations on being ranked a Top 200 Legal LinkedIn Influencer! How did you first start building your LinkedIn presence?
I started by posting twice a week, then gradually moved to four or five times. My goal was to raise awareness about the versatility of a Malaysian foundation and to get visibility in the UK legal community.
There’s still this misconception that a Malaysian foundation limits your options, and I wanted to challenge that by showing that I’d studied and built a career abroad. I also noticed there aren’t many internationals or minorities in law, so I wanted to be a visible example and help make the legal profession feel more accessible.
5. As someone who has built a career across two countries, what advice would you give to international students aspiring to train in the UK?
1. Start early. Applications open very far in advance, sometimes two years ahead. As an international student, your time in the UK is limited, so you really can’t afford to wait around before applying.
2. Explore visa alternatives. A work visa isn’t the only option — there are partner, spouse, entrepreneur, BNO visas, among others. It’s worth researching what best fits your situation.
3. Be open to opportunities, even if it’s a small role or a small firm of they’re far from home. Because every chance to learn and build connections matters. I actually did a lot of legal admin roles before landing my first paralegal role at a small firm where I learnt a lot actually. I even know a receptionist who secured a training contract just through networking with solicitors in her firm.
Alya Moktar – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alya-moktar-1600b0127/
Trainee Solicitor (Casualty & Corporate Claims) at Kennedys | Top 200 Legal Linkedinfluencers Q2 | Helping aspiring lawyers break barriers
I hope Alya’s journey has inspired you especially if you’re applying for training contracts, navigating law as an international student, or figuring out how to turn resilience into real career progress.
Her story is a reminder that you don’t need to wait until qualification to make an impact. Whether it’s waking up at 5am to commute for a paralegal role, building a LinkedIn presence that challenges misconceptions, or pursuing a passion for litigation, Alya shows us that determination, visibility, and storytelling are just as powerful as experience.
From overcoming cultural shifts to proving that introverts belong in law, she reminds us that growth often starts in the small, unseen moments showing up consistently, believing in yourself, and making the most of every opportunity in front of you.
🎧 Stay tuned our podcast episode with Alya is coming soon on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible (The Lawyer Files), where we talk about resilience, LinkedIn influence, and what it really means to build a career that reflects both your background and your future ambitions.
We’ll also explore her passion for litigation, her advice on applications and visas, and how visibility can create space for others to follow.
Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it.
Until next time stay resilient, stay visible, and keep telling your story 🎙️📚⚖️
Denice Obeng 🙂
