From Boots to the Home Office, Mayer Brown trainee Amrit Walia shares how her varied career path paved the way to her role at the international firm
In the fast-paced and often competitive world of law, stories of resilience and passion are not only inspiring but also provide much-needed insights for aspiring solicitors. Amrit Walia, a trainee solicitor in the London office of international outfit Mayer Brown, is an example of this. In her journey from a non-selective state school to one of the leading law firms in the world, Amrit has shown that dedication, adaptability, and a strong sense of self are key to making it in corporate law. Her path, marked by personal setbacks and triumphs, offers invaluable lessons for those looking to follow in her footsteps.
Amrit’s early academic journey was not without its challenges. As she candidly shared, her A-level results fell short of her predicted grades due to illness, a setback that initially seemed like a major roadblock to a career in law. Like many students facing the daunting UCAS system, Amrit was disappointed when she didn’t get into her first-choice university. However, this didn’t define her. Instead, she attended Keele University, where she pursued a history degree and graduated with first-class honours.
“At the time, it felt like my life was over, but really, it was just the start,” Amrit reflects. Instead of letting this experience hold her back, she embraced her new path. “I did a history degree, which I absolutely loved, came out with a first, which was great,” she adds.
While many aspiring lawyers may meticulously plan their route into law, Amrit’s path was less conventional. She admits that she “wasn’t even aware of vacation schemes” until halfway through her Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). Nevertheless, her drive was unshaken. With her family’s support, Amrit pursued the GDL and then the Legal Practice Course (LPC) with an LLM, which allowed her to qualify for a student loan and helped reduce the financial burden.
“I was really fortunate that my parents were in a position that they could help me fund the GDL,” she shares, adding that financial considerations played a significant role in her choices. “It’s quite stressful… trying to fund your education and have no idea if it’s going to pay off.”
For Amrit, the financial realities of pursuing law were a constant consideration. Unlike some of her peers, she didn’t have a smooth path directly into a training contract. After completing her LPC, she faced the challenge of securing both paralegal work and a coveted training contract. She sent applications “anywhere and everywhere,” receiving rejections and tough feedback along the way. Despite being told she was “too confident” for some roles, Amrit remained undeterred.
Unable to immediately find work in the private legal sector, Amrit turned to the public sector and found a role at the Home Office — a decision that would later prove to be pivotal in her development. “I’m so, so glad I went down that route,” she says. In her role as a Presenting Officer, Amrit represented the Home Office in immigration cases, acting as the legal spokesperson on behalf of the Secretary of State. “I would go into court three or four times a week… and present asylum cases, deportation cases, bail cases,” she recalls. Despite not always agreeing with the policies she was asked to uphold, Amrit emphasises the importance of representing the client’s best interests. “At the end of the day, you are their mouthpiece, and you’ve got to act in their best interests.”
This experience was instrumental in developing her legal acumen. Presenting cases in court multiple times a week under intense pressure sharpened her ability to think on her feet. “Sometimes I’d have a judge say, ‘You’ve got 15 minutes. I want you to come back and formulate an argument, cross-examination, and closing arguments,’” she shares. These skills would later prove essential in her training at Mayer Brown.
I ask if having work experience outside the legal field can help aspiring lawyers stand out. “It’s incredibly nerve-wracking entering the legal profession, especially with imposter syndrome being such a real challenge, particularly for women of colour in traditionally male-dominated fields,” she responds. “But even experiences that might seem unrelated can offer valuable, transferable skills,” she continues. “The reality is, many people can’t afford to take on voluntary positions – – they need part-time jobs to get through university or help support their families.” Amrit then emphasises the strength this can bring. “I actually see this as a superpower. It demonstrates maturity, responsibility, and a clear understanding of priorities. It also highlights the ability to work hard and manage multiple commitments effectively.”
One of the most striking insights from Amrit’s interview is her emphasis on the importance of people skills. She argues that technical legal knowledge, while crucial, is not enough to stand out as a trainee solicitor. “It’s important to remember that by the time you reach trainee level or higher, everyone has the necessary knowledge and intellect to do the job. What truly sets you apart, and distinguishes firms from one another, are your people skills,” she explains. Amrit’s varied work experiences before law –including retail jobs at Boots and Morrisons — played a significant role in honing these skills:
“Working in retail, you really develop thick skin because… until you’ve had customers screaming at you on Christmas Eve… it’s very character building,” she says. These experiences taught her to communicate effectively with people from all walks of life, a skill that is invaluable in client-facing legal work.
In retail, Amrit learned to adapt her communication style to suit the person in front of her. “You quickly learn how to adjust and speak to people on their level,” she says, adding that her upbringing as the child of immigrants further enhanced her ability to simplify complex concepts. “Having a mum who doesn’t have English as her first language… that teaches you how to communicate with people from all walks of life; a skill that ultimately translates to the legal industry.”
Her perspective is a refreshing reminder that the ability to connect with clients and colleagues on a human level is just as valuable as technical prowess. “There’s no point knowing how to do legal research if you can’t actually hold a conversation with someone,” Amrit asserts.
For many aspiring solicitors, choosing the right firm is one of the most critical decisions in their career. For Amrit, Mayer Brown stood out because of its people-first approach. She was determined to find a firm that valued her for who she was, rather than expecting her to conform to a rigid corporate mould. At Mayer Brown, Amrit found an environment that resonated with her values. “Every person at this firm is so nice,” she enthuses, recalling her first week when even the catering staff, receptionists, and security personnel took the time to get to know her. “It’s just those little things that make it the firm that it is… the hours can be long, but when you have that personable side, it makes a huge difference.”
What attracted Amrit to Mayer Brown wasn’t just the high-calibre clients and legal work, but also the firm’s culture of mentorship and support. “I was part of a mentoring scheme when I was at BPP Law School, and it partnered me with a partner mentor at Mayer Brown,” she shares. This mentoring relationship helped her navigate the legal world, and ultimately solidified her decision to join the firm.
Amrit’s journey offers a wealth of advice for future lawyers, and her three key pieces of advice are simple yet invaluable. First, she emphasises the importance of being yourself during the application process. “If you pretend to be someone you’re not, you’ll be miserable for two years,” she warns. Authenticity not only helps you find the right fit but also ensures that you’ll thrive in the long term.
Second, she advises applicants never to downplay their unique experiences, even if they don’t seem directly relevant to law. “Never disparage any opportunity or experience you’ve had,” she urges, highlighting her own experience of working in retail and the civil service that ultimately contributed to her success. Amrit reflects on the challenges of meeting the academic standards of top-tier firms but insists that perseverance is key: “I didn’t get my predicted grades at A-level, but I persevered.”
Finally, she encourages aspiring solicitors to enjoy the process despite its challenges. Reflecting on her own experience with rejection, she acknowledges how difficult it can be but stresses that the journey is meant to be enjoyable. “It’s meant to be fun… even though it’s a stressful process, try to enjoy every second of it.”
Amrit Walia will be speaking at ‘The skills future lawyers need to thrive — with Mayer Brown’, a virtual student event taking place TOMORROW (Tuesday 29 October). Apply for one of the final few places now.
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