Meet Adian

Tell us about your background and why you decided on a career in law

I grew up in Milton Keynes and went to a local state school. I am part of the first generation in my family to go into higher education, and I did not grow up with any particular connections to the legal profession.

At school, I was always more drawn to essay-based subjects such as English and history than maths or science. I enjoyed analysing texts, comparing sources and constructing arguments, and I began to think about careers where those skills would be useful. Around the same time, I studied aspects of Sharia law in Religious Studies, which sparked a broader interest in legal systems and how they operate.

I then sought out work experience with local law firms, initially gaining exposure to areas such as family law and conveyancing before seeking more commercial work. A particularly important experience for me was attending an insight day at Dentons. I had expected a large international law firm to feel quite formal and impersonal, but found the opposite. The people I met were approachable, enthusiastic about their work and clearly enjoyed working together. That experience helped me see that I was interested not only in a legal career, but in pursuing it within a large international firm.

 

Why did you opt for an apprenticeship over other qualification routes?

When I first started considering a career as a solicitor, I assumed that the only route was to go to university, secure a training contract and qualify from there. I was therefore applying to universities alongside exploring other opportunities.

My first exposure to the solicitor apprenticeship programme was through Dentons. I had the opportunity to speak to existing apprentices about their experiences and quickly saw the benefits of the route. It offered the opportunity to begin gaining practical legal experience immediately, work towards the same ultimate qualification and avoid taking on student debt, while starting my career at a leading international law firm.

The practical experience was a particularly important factor for me. By the time I qualify, I will already have spent six years working in the profession and will have experienced eight different seats. That breadth of experience was a major attraction.

 

How did you find and apply for your apprenticeship?

My first interaction with Dentons was at a careers fair at my school, where I spoke to colleagues from the firm about their careers and the different routes into law. They gave me useful advice and encouraged me to explore the profession further.

When I later saw an opportunity to attend an insight day at Dentons, I applied, and that was where I first learned more about the solicitor apprenticeship programme. I subsequently applied for the apprenticeship through the firm's application portal. The process involved a written application, online assessment, video interview and virtual assessment centre.

Having already had some exposure to the firm before applying was invaluable, as it gave me a clear sense of the working culture and what a career at Dentons might look like in practice.

 

Why did you choose Milton Keynes?

The fact that I have lived in Milton Keynes all my life was naturally a major factor in my decision, but I also think the character of the office suits me particularly well.

I enjoy working closely with others and being part of a team, and the Milton Keynes office has a very collaborative and close-knit atmosphere. As a smaller office, it is easier to build relationships across different teams and levels of seniority, and there is a strong sense of familiarity across the office.

At the same time, being based in Milton Keynes does not limit the scale of the work. I regularly work with colleagues in London and other Dentons offices worldwide, so I benefit from the close working environment of a regional office while still being involved in complex and international matters.

 

Tell us about your apprenticeship

I am completing Dentons' six-year Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship. For the first four years, I study towards my law degree alongside working at the firm, before moving on to the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations during years five and six.

I have one study day each week and spend the remainder of the week working in the office. Throughout the apprenticeship I rotate through different practice areas and will ultimately complete eight seats before qualification.

At the end of the programme, subject to successfully completing the relevant academic and professional requirements, I will qualify as a solicitor and will hold an LLB (Hons) law degree and a Level 7 Apprenticeship Standard (master's degree equivalent).

 

What does a typical working day look like?

There is a lot of variation from one day to the next, which is one of the things I enjoy about the role.

I usually arrive fairly early, review any emails that have come in and organise my priorities for the day. Working at an international firm also means there may be messages waiting from colleagues or clients in other time zones.

Although it is useful to plan ahead, priorities can change quickly when an urgent matter comes in. I have therefore learned to be flexible and to make progress on tasks when I can, rather than assuming they can always be picked up the following day.

In my current Corporate and Banking seat, a typical day might involve drafting documents, carrying out legal research, assisting with transaction management and dealing with company secretarial matters, although the balance varies considerably depending on the matters I am working on.

 

How do you balance working with studying?

So far, I have found the balance manageable, although there are inevitably periods when university work extends beyond the designated study day.

The main thing that helps is planning ahead. If I know that work is likely to become busy, I try to get ahead with reading or preparation for university. Equally, if I have an exam or coursework deadline approaching, I make my team aware so that I can manage my workload appropriately.

I have found colleagues very supportive of the fact that studying is an integral part of the apprenticeship. There is flexibility when academic deadlines become particularly demanding, provided that I communicate early and manage my time properly.

 

Can you debunk a myth about working in law?

A common suggestion is that working at a large law firm is nothing like the American legal drama Suits. I would say that, occasionally, there are more similarities than people might expect.

Of course, nobody I know has a photographic memory, and deals are not routinely negotiated on golf courses. However, there are moments when you are working on a significant transaction, responding to an unexpected issue under time pressure or dealing with a fast-moving matter where the pace and intensity do feel quite familiar.

It is certainly not like that every day, but there is enough variety and momentum to keep the work interesting.

 

What advice can you give to other aspiring apprentices?

My main advice would be to get involved in as much as you can while you are at school, college or sixth form.

That does not have to mean legal work experience. Clubs, committees, volunteering, sport and other activities can all give you useful examples of teamwork, leadership, communication and responsibility.

I would also recommend getting a part-time job if possible. I worked in retail before joining Dentons, and it gave me a useful insight into how a business operates. I made a point of asking questions about how the business was performing, what decisions were being made and why.

That commercial understanding is very valuable when applying to law firms. You are not expected to know large amounts of law before you start, but it is important to understand that legal advice exists within a wider commercial context. Reading the news and thinking about how developments might affect businesses is a useful habit to develop.

 

What are you looking forward to over the next year of your apprenticeship?

I am about to rotate into a new seat, so I am looking forward to learning a new area of law and taking on a different type of work.

One of the aspects of the apprenticeship that I value most is the breadth of experience it provides. Over the course of the programme, I will complete eight different seats, which gives me the opportunity to experience a wide range of practice areas before deciding where I would eventually like to qualify.

I am also looking forward to continuing my involvement in pro bono and community initiatives. I find that work particularly rewarding and hope to make the most of the opportunities available alongside my next seat.

 

What's the best piece of work you've been involved in?

It is difficult to choose one piece of work because different tasks have been rewarding in different ways.

From a fee-earning perspective, one of the tasks I enjoyed most involved researching the different options available to a client in relation to the potential dissolution of a high-profile company. I was able to carry out the research independently and prepare an advice note setting out the available options, their timing and practical implications, before it was reviewed by my supervising lawyer and provided to the client.

The work I have found most fulfilling, however, has been through Dentons' pro bono relationship with the National Centre for Domestic Violence. I have assisted applicants seeking non-molestation orders, which can provide important legal protection for people experiencing domestic abuse. It is rewarding to see the practical impact that legal support can have for an individual.

 

Are you involved with any of the Firm's networks?

I am involved with ApprenticeLink MK, a Dentons-led network which brings together apprentices from organisations across Milton Keynes and the surrounding area. The network hosts a mixture of informal networking events and sessions focused on practical issues relevant to apprentices, such as balancing work and study and developing workplace skills.

I have found it particularly valuable because apprentices do not necessarily have the same social environment that comes with the traditional university route. It provides an opportunity to meet people in a similar position, share experiences and discuss the particular challenges and benefits of combining work with study.

 

What makes Dentons a great place to work?

What I value most about Dentons is that it combines the opportunities of a genuinely international firm with a very personal working environment, particularly in Milton Keynes. The office is close-knit, people know each other across teams and there is a strong sense that you are part of the wider office rather than just your immediate practice group.

At the same time, the work is often cross-border, complex and high-profile. I have already had numerous opportunities to work with colleagues in other Dentons offices and on matters involving major international businesses, which gives the role a level of variety and intellectual challenge that I really enjoy.

For me, that balance is what makes Dentons such a good place to work: you have the scale, reach and quality of work associated with a global firm, but without losing the supportive and sociable atmosphere of a smaller office.