Standing Firm in Power and Pride

I must admit, in my view, my journey to becoming a solicitor was in many ways ordinary. I grew up in a council estate in a suburb in north London, went to a few local schools, had many inspiring teachers and a powerhouse of a mother, and from the moment I found joy in public speaking, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer.

So I embarked on the chosen path; I went to university, studied law and there I developed a burning passion for human rights. After graduation, I secured my first paralegal role at 21, working for a small firm in Birmingham on some of the most high-profile human rights law cases of the time. I had fervour and great mentors along the way. Now, eleven years later, I am a qualified solicitor, specialising in public inquiries and inquests at one of the best law firms in the UK for my area of law.

Despite it being a relatively consistent journey, it was not without its adversities and given the context of Black History Month I would be remiss to not elaborate on those. The main problem I had, as a Black woman, was this incessant feeling of imposter syndrome. The idea that, despite my achievements, I never quite felt like I deserved to be in the room. As I got further along in my career and the successes grew, so did my questioning whether I was capable enough to be there.

What ultimately got me through was time and experience, having no choice but to take on challenges, sometimes making mistakes, but learning from them, and more importantly, learning to embrace and appreciate the wins for clients when you achieve them. I did that often enough and suddenly it was years later and I could see that my CV was pretty full!

There is also no shame in being proud of yourself and your accomplishments. This is why I wholeheartedly resonate with this year’s theme of “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”. As a Black woman, I know first-hand how powerful and frankly, necessary self-encouragement is to one’s growth, to not just help you push forward everyday but to give you the confidence to be seen and heard in rooms filled with so many other passionate voices.

It also helps to build your career in a nurturing environment, my passion for the law is energised every day by my colleagues who support and challenge me. Together we are changing perceptions, breaking stereotypes and building a more reflective and inclusive legal profession, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, my advice to aspiring Black lawyers this year is simple: know your worth. Recognise and accept when you have earned a great opportunity. Try not to let imposter syndrome overshadow your achievements. Remember that you are there because you deserve to be – embrace it, stand firm and strive to excel. You will do brilliantly.