Welcome to the sixth blog post for TheLawyerFiles!
First, thank you for subscribing. Please stay tuned for insightful interviews, expert advice, and real-life experiences from legal professionals to help you navigate your journey to becoming a solicitor.
In this edition, we feature Asiyah Randera, a trainee solicitor whose journey into the legal profession highlights the power of persistence, practical experience, and paying it forward. From working as a Legal Assistant and Paralegal to winning multiple academic awards and going viral for her academic excellence, Asiyah shares how these milestones prepared her to hit the ground running in her training contract. She reflects on the importance of hands-on learning, mentorship, and the lessons that can only come from real-world experience. With honesty and clarity, Asiyah offers invaluable insights for aspiring lawyers navigating the path to qualification — and reminds us all that no experience is ever wasted.
Let’s dive in! 🚀
1. How did your experiences as a Legal Assistant and Paralegal prepare you for your current role?
I wanted to become a trainee solicitor immediately following graduation. When this didn’t happen, I felt an immense pressure to secure a training contract as quickly as possible. What I didn’t realise is that without gaining the diversity of experiences that I did beforehand, I wouldn’t be the trainee solicitor that I am today.
During my roles as legal assistant and paralegal, I formed an appreciation of the processes that enable law firms to provide excellent customer service. Now as a trainee, I can form strong working relationships with admin staff because I fully understand the pressures that come with assisting fee earners in this type of role.
I also learned for example, how to use a case management system, pick up the phone, draft correspondence, as well as how to work under pressure, manage risk, and interact with clients. I could therefore hit the ground running as a trainee, as skills like these form the foundation of lawyers’ work.
2. You’ve won the Combar Award, David Baxter Award, and Thomson Reuters Company Law Prize. How did you achieve these awards?
I attained these awards during my studies at university. I achieved the Combar Award in 2020 as part of the Access to the Bar Award Scheme.
This scheme provided successful applicants with two weeks of funded work experience; a one week mini pupillage, and one week marshalling. It involved submitting an application and sitting through an interview with three barristers from Middle Temple. It was an honour to receive such an award. Unfortunately due to Covid-19, the placements could not go ahead. The David Baxter Award was granted to me in 2022 for being the best student in Contract Law. I was awarded a £100 cash prize. The Thomson Reuters Company Law Prize was awarded to me in 2023 following completion of the LPC for being the best student in Company Law and Practice.
3. Your first LinkedIn post went viral in 2021. What was it about, and why do you think it resonated with so many people?
Following completion of my law degree, a lecturer from my university, who was also the head of the exam board, sent me an email congratulating me on achieving a first class degree with marks of over 70 in every single module. They proceeded to state that they had never seen a profile like mine during their 30 years of teaching, and neither had the external examiner. I was thrilled and so grateful to have received an email like this, so uploaded a screenshot of it on LinkedIn.
I believe people resonated with the post because they appreciated the hard work and dedication required to attain such grades. It was heart warming to see such a lovely community of people come together to congratulate me, and I am thankful for their support.
4. How important is mentorship in the legal profession, and how can law students find mentors?
Having a mentor as an aspiring lawyer can be extremely beneficial. A mentor can:
● Review and provide feedback on CVs and applications
● Give mock interviews
● Provide insights into their work and law in practice
● Provide work experience opportunities
● Provide general guidance and support
I found mentors through a university scheme that paired students up to mentors in the relevant field. Alternatively, students can reach out to professionals directly via LinkedIn or email. It can seem daunting, but aspiring lawyers shouldn’t underestimate the opportunities they can secure if they just ask. Organisations that cater to support aspiring lawyers may have their own mentorship schemes.
5. After completing your training contract, where do you see yourself within the legal profession?
I am not certain which area I will be qualifying into at the time of writing, but once qualified, I hope to continue learning and developing into a
better lawyer each and every day. I aspire to give back to others in any way I can, whether that’s through my legal work, or by helping aspiring lawyers navigate their way towards qualification.
Asiyah Randera – https://www.linkedin.com/in/asiyah-randera-64530519b/
Trainee Solicitor 👩💼 | Awards-Winner 🏆 | Content Creator ✍️ | Speaker 🎙️ | Law LLB (First Class) | LLM LPC (Distinction) 🎓
Staffordshire County Council
Thank you for reading the sixth edition of TheLawyerFiles!
I hope Asiyah’s journey has given you fresh insight and encouragement—especially if you’re forging your own path, facing uncertainty, or building a legal career in unconventional ways. Her story is a powerful reminder that authenticity, perseverance, and purpose can guide you through the most challenging chapters toward something truly meaningful.
🎧 Stay tuned—our podcast episode with Asiyah is coming soon, where we’ll explore her experiences even further and dive into the lessons she’s learned along the way. 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 🙂
