Meet Kellan

Tell us a bit about your background. What did you study at university, and when did you join the firm?

I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. After finishing high school, I undertook a BSc in Genetics, Human Anatomy & Physiology at the University of Cape Town. I then went on to complete my BSc Honours degree in Pathogenic Genetics at the University of Pretoria. In 2022 I decided to move to the UK to pursue a career in law, where I then studied a graduate LLB at the University of Birmingham. After securing a training contract with Gowling in my final year of studies, I completed the LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2) at the University of Law in Birmingham. I joined Gowling WLG in September 2025 as a Trainee Solicitor.

Why did you choose Gowling WLG?

Law firms can sometimes have a reputation for being demanding environments where the focus is heavily on output, often at the expense of day-to-day culture. When I was researching firms, I heard positive things about Gowling WLG's people and working environment. What stood out to me was that, despite being a major international firm working on complex matters across a wide range of sectors, it had a reputation for being supportive and collaborative.

I wanted to experience the challenge and pace of commercial law, but I also knew it was important to join a firm where I would enjoy coming to work and feel comfortable asking questions and developing as a trainee. Gowling felt like a place where I could do high-quality work while being supported by colleagues who were invested in my growth. Having now experienced the firm firsthand, that positive culture has lived up to my expectations.

What is the most interesting piece of work you have been involved in to date?

During my Intellectual Property seat, I had the opportunity to attend a three-day hearing before the Supreme Court in a patent dispute. It was fascinating to see a case of that scale and complexity being argued at the highest level of the UK legal system. Watching solicitors, barristers and the justices engage with the technical and legal issues in such depth gave me a real appreciation for the quality of advocacy and analysis involved in high-profile disputes.

As someone with a particular interest in intellectual property, it was an incredibly rewarding experience. Opportunities like that are quite rare at such an early stage of your career, and being able to observe the hearing firsthand brought to life many of the concepts I had been working on day to day.

What are your top three tips for someone looking to pursue a career in law?

1. Reach out! There are tons of incredibly smart law students that are capable of doing the work - having conversations and making connections helps you stand out. From my experience, lawyers love talking about their work (and themselves), so be proactive, put yourself out there and get them talking.
2. Build your basics. Most of what you learn as a trainee happens on the job, so don't expect law school to prepare you for every aspect of practice. Instead, use that time to develop a solid understanding of legal principles, alongside your writing, communication and problem-solving skills. Firms recruit trainees because they have the potential to learn, not because they already know everything. Strong foundations will make it much easier to develop once you start your training contract. Good grades are important, but many candidates have them. What really sets people apart is their ability to think critically, communicate clearly and adapt to new challenges.
3. Be curious. The people who stand out are often those who are willing to go a step further than what's required. If you're reading a judgment for a lecture, don't stop at the decision itself. Look at the commentary around it, the background to the dispute, the parties involved and the wider impact of the case. More broadly, stay engaged with what's happening in the legal world. Subscribe to legal newsletters, follow major law firms and keep up with commercial and current affairs. You don't need to know everything, but having a genuine interest in the law and the world around it will help you develop stronger commercial awareness and give you an edge throughout the application process and beyond.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

There probably isn't a true "typical" day as a trainee, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role. My day usually starts with checking emails and catching up on any developments across my matters before planning out my priorities.

From there, the work can vary significantly depending on the seat I'm in. A day might involve carrying out legal research, reviewing documents, drafting emails or transaction documents, attending client calls, or joining internal meetings to discuss strategy and next steps. One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a trainee is the variety. You can spend the morning working on a detailed legal issue and the afternoon helping to move a transaction or dispute forward.

Alongside the work itself, there's also a strong emphasis on learning. Whether it's receiving feedback from colleagues, attending training sessions or simply listening in on client discussions, there are opportunities to develop every day. No two days look exactly the same, and that variety is what keeps the role engaging.

What is the single most important thing you have learned so far as a trainee?

Success as a trainee isn't really about how much law you know. Firms expect trainees to have a solid legal foundation, but what really makes a difference is your ability to learn, adapt and work effectively with other people.

Every seat, matter and team is different, so being curious, approachable and willing to take on feedback is often just as important as your technical legal knowledge. The trainees who thrive are usually those who communicate well, build strong relationships and show that they can develop quickly when faced with unfamiliar challenges.

I've found that people are generally far more interested in how you approach a problem, how you respond to feedback and whether you are willing to learn than whether you know every answer from the outset.