University attended: Manchester Metropolitan University (Undergraduate LLB), University of Law (LPC MSc), BBP Law School (LLM SQE)
Degree qualification and year of graduation: 1st class honours, 2021, Distinction 2023, Distinction 2025 (in the order above).
Part 2: Profile detail:
Tell us about your role and when did you join the firm?
I joined the firm as a Trainee Solicitor in September 2025, having previously worked as a Paralegal in the firm's Legal Delivery Centre before leaving to study the SQE in 2024. I am currently in my second seat in the Corporate department and my first seat was in Project Finance.
What inspired you to apply to this law firm?
During my time at the firm as a Paralegal, I was involved in several genuinely multi-jurisdictional transactions, working with colleagues across our global offices. This gave me a taste of the kind of meaningful work Dentons has to offer which was important to me when considering where to apply.
At the same time, I was able to experience first-hand the inclusive culture Dentons prides itself on, and I felt that this was somewhere I could belong. I think there are few firms with the same global reach that are able to execute such a positive culture.
What does a typical work day look like?
A typical work day is, of course, team-dependent but also varies depending on how busy you are / the nature of the transactions you are involved in.
Project Finance
This is a fairly consistently busy team. I would usually expect to start my day between 8.30-9am, logging off by 7.30pm during quieter periods but working late into the evening when busier, particularly when signing or closing transactions (though this is not an everyday occurrence by any means). Some team members prefer to start earlier and get a bulk of work done in the morning – I am more of a night owl so, if tasks are due the following day, I will usually stay up late the night before to complete them rather than logging on earlier.
You are able to work from home on a Friday but the team generally prefers to work from the office Monday-Thursday. This has great benefits as a trainee as you genuinely learn a lot from listening to those around you. My supervisor and I worked very closely together and built a strong relationship by the end of the seat – expectations are made clear from the outset and striving to meet these expectations allows you to do well in this seat.
Corporate
This is also a busy team but there are peaks and troughs. I usually start my day at 9.30 and, during quieter periods, I can expect log off any time from 6pm. During signings / closings I have worked until the early hours of the morning and also had to work some weekends, but this is usually followed by some down time for a while with much shorter days.
The team has a 3-day office policy, and we are free to choose which days to come in. There is no expectation to work late in the office – if you know you are going to have a busy evening, you can head off and log back on at home.
What is the single most important thing you have learned so far as a trainee?
The biggest lesson I have learned is that communication is just as important as technical ability. As a trainee, nobody expects you to know everything, but they do expect you to ask questions when you're unsure, keep people updated on your progress, and flag any issues early. I've found that being proactive and communicating clearly makes you a much more effective member of the team and helps build trust with both colleagues and clients. It is also important to get stuck in as soon as you can when joining a new team – get your name and face out there and ensure people are aware they can come to you with tasks. This will help you develop and also contributes to building relationships early-on.
What are your top tips for someone applying to this law firm?
Take the time to understand what genuinely sets Dentons apart rather than relying on the firm's headline statistics. Its global platform is unique, but it's also important to demonstrate an understanding of how that benefits clients in practice.
It's also important that you highlight how your own experiences demonstrate the qualities Dentons looks for – you will need to show that you are a good fit for this firm. Your application should feel authentic and show genuine enthusiasm for the firm – it is easy to spot where this is not the case!
What makes this law firm a great place to work?
The combination of high-quality international work and a genuinely supportive culture has been a perfect fit for me personally. As a trainee, you're given meaningful responsibility from an early stage, but you're also surrounded by people who are approachable and willing to invest time in your development. I've found that colleagues are generous with their time, whether that's explaining the commercial context of a transaction, providing feedback on your work, or simply making themselves available when you have questions.
What are the most important qualities you need to be a lawyer?
Resilience, adaptability and commercial awareness.
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