Welcome to the thirty-third blog post for TheLawyerFiles.
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, resilience, and ambition.
✨ In this edition, we feature Zafreen A — a Solicitor Apprentice at Fox Williams LLP whose journey blends discipline, determination, and a deep commitment to personal growth.
From studying law at A Level to gaining early experience at CMS, Allen & Overy, and Grant Thornton, Zafreen built an impressive foundation long before stepping into her apprenticeship. Inspired by her older sisters and motivated by the unique opportunity to earn a degree while gaining hands-on legal experience, she chose the solicitor apprenticeship route with clarity and confidence.
In this conversation, Zafreen shares how she balances a full-time role at a leading City firm with her law degree, the importance of setting boundaries, and how mentorship — particularly through Zero Gravity — shaped her mindset and career direction. She also reflects on her early rotations across admin, compliance, and dispute resolution, and how each one helped her understand teamwork, organisation, and the real operations of a law firm.
If you’ve ever wondered what life as a solicitor apprentice truly looks like, or how to stand out in applications while staying grounded in your values, Zafreen’s story is a reminder that persistence and structure can turn potential into progress.
Let’s dive in 💡
- You’ve already built an impressive foundation with experiences at firms like CMS, Allen & Overy, and Grant Thornton. What inspired you to pursue the solicitor apprenticeship route with Fox Williams instead of the traditional university path?
I have several key motivations that led me to pursue the solicitor apprenticeship route. I studied law at A Level and was fortunate enough to genuinely enjoy the subject, which made me want to explore it further. That early interest showed me that law was something I could really see myself pursuing long-term.
A big influence was also my two older sisters, who both studied law at university. They are my biggest role models, and watching their journeys naturally inspired me to follow a similar path. Seeing their experiences made the idea of a legal career feel both familiar and achievable.
The structure of the apprenticeship itself was another major motivator. Working in a law firm four days a week, gaining hands-on legal experience, studying one day a week, having my degree fully funded, and being guaranteed qualification in six years — there were simply too many benefits to overlook. It felt like the perfect blend of practical experience and academic development.
Finally, law is a prestigious and highly respected field, and I wanted to study something with that level of status and long-term career impact.
- Balancing work and study as a solicitor apprentice is no small feat. How do you manage your time between your role at Fox Williams and your law degree at the University of Law?
Firstly, I think it’s incredibly important to have a clear separation between work and university. For me, that means setting an out-of-office on my study day, avoiding work emails, and making sure those boundaries are in place from the very beginning. That separation really helps me stay focused and prevents the two from overlapping.
Having a structured university day has also been essential. It allows me to plan my workload properly and means I don’t have to spend my weekends catching up on study, which helps maintain a much healthier balance overall.
And if you ever feel like you’re struggling to manage both work and university demands, it’s so important to communicate that early. Letting your line manager or supervisor know can make a huge difference, because they can offer support, make adjustments where needed, and help you stay on track.
- Your journey shows consistent dedication to personal development, from your Zero Gravity mentorship to gaining experience across commercial law firms. How have these experiences shaped your approach to teamwork and problem-solving in a legal environment?
During my week-long work experience at CMS, one of the main tasks we were given was to create a presentation on why Amazon should choose CMS to be their lawyers. We worked in a team of around six people, and it was important to make sure that everyone had a speaking role and that every idea was heard. We started with a simple mind map on paper, then gradually developed those ideas into a structured presentation. That experience really shaped my approach to teamwork, because it showed me the value of listening, collaborating, and getting organised before starting any major task.
Now that I’m working in a law firm, teamwork looks a little different but is just as important. We have weekly team catch-ups so everyone knows their tasks for the week, and it creates a space where people can ask for help if they’re struggling or need an extra pair of hands. Communication and supporting one another are essential in a fast-paced legal environment.
I also really valued my Zero Gravity mentorship. I was lucky to have a very proactive mentor who reviewed my applications and even did mock interviews with me. Having a mentor at any stage of life can be incredibly helpful. From a legal and career perspective, it gives you someone to talk to about your aspirations, someone who can offer guidance, and someone who has already navigated the path you’re aiming to take.
If you’re a student, I would highly recommend finding a mentor — the support, accountability, and advice you receive can be invaluable.
- Fox Williams is known for its work with innovative and entrepreneurial clients. What areas of law or types of work have you found most interesting so far during your apprenticeship?
In my first three months, I was placed in the admin team. Although it wasn’t a legal seat, it was incredibly valuable because it allowed me to understand the systems and processes the firm relies on, such as iManage, and to gain a solid insight into the operational side of a law firm. That foundation helped me appreciate how much organisation and structure sit behind the legal work itself.
My next three months were spent in the compliance team, which was a completely different pace. It was much faster and involved a lot of attention to detail. One of my key tasks was creating and updating the firm’s gift register. At first, it might seem like a small responsibility, but it plays an important role in preventing bribery and corruption by tracking the gifts partners and associates receive. It gave me a new perspective on the ethical safeguards that keep a law firm running smoothly.
I have now been in the Dispute Resolution team for around eight months, and before joining, I had no idea how diverse the work would be. Our department handles a wide range of disputes, including international arbitration, securities litigation, and shareholder disputes. Over the summer, I worked on an international arbitration case, which I found especially interesting. The level of preparation, teamwork, and detail required in the memorials we submit has really stood out to me. It’s shown me how much strategy and collaboration go into dispute work behind the scenes.
- Finally, for students considering the solicitor apprenticeship route, what advice would you give them about standing out in applications and making the most of early legal experience?
When applying, it’s really important to make sure your answers are always linked back to a career in law, the solicitor apprenticeship route, or the skills required to be a lawyer. Recruiters want to see that you understand the profession and can explain why your experiences make you a strong fit for it.
Instead of simply saying you have excellent communication skills, give a real example. For instance, in my part-time role at Marks & Spencer, I interacted with a wide range of customers, often handling complaints and resolving issues under pressure. That experience strengthened my communication and client-facing skills, which are essential for a lawyer who deals with clients every day.
And finally, if you’re an aspiring solicitor apprentice or future lawyer, don’t give up. The application process can be tough, and sometimes it feels like you’re completing hundreds of forms. But with persistence, resilience, and determination, you will get there.
Zafreen A – https://www.linkedin.com/in/zafreen-a-1908a7270/
Solicitor Apprentice at Fox Williams
I hope Zafreen’s journey has inspired you — especially if you’re exploring the solicitor apprenticeship route, learning how to balance work and study, or trying to build confidence in a profession that demands resilience, structure, and curiosity.
Her story is a reminder that there is no single path into law. Whether it’s gaining early work experience, embracing mentorship, or developing practical skills through hands-on learning, Zafreen shows that ambition and discipline can create opportunities just as powerful as the traditional university route.
From navigating rotations across admin, compliance, and dispute resolution to learning the importance of teamwork, organisation, and communication, she reminds us that growth often happens through the experiences we least expect. And for anyone doubting their ability to succeed, her message is clear — with determination and consistency, you can achieve your goals.
🎧 Stay tuned — our podcast episode with Zafreen will be available soon on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Audible (TheLawyerFiles). We discuss her journey to Fox Williams, the realities of life as a solicitor apprentice, and the habits that help her stay grounded and motivated.
We also explore her advice for aspiring apprentices, the value of mentorship, and what she’s learned from working across different departments within a City law firm.
Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss future episodes.
Until next time — stay focused, stay determined, and keep believing in your journey 💡🎙️
Denice Obeng 🙂
