My journeyWhen I was growing up, I wanted to be an actor but my parents persuaded me to look into an academic profession. I applied to study Law at Cambridge and became involved with the law society there. Through one of the society’s talks I met a Herbert Smith Freehills partner called Andre, who encouraged me to apply for the vacation scheme. I committed to a training contract and, when I graduated, worked as a paralegal for Andre before going travelling for six months, couch-surfing across the USA. Since then, I completed the LPC and started working at here.
My future focus
Building the foundations of the career i want; whilst trying to make a difference in the process.
As well as primarily focusing on developing my career as an associate and building the skillset for success in the early stages of my career, I’m focused on making sure that diversity and inclusion go from strength to strength. I endeavour to do this by championing and advancing LGBT+ rights nationally and internationally through several projects that I’m involved in, as well as internally at the firm.
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My difference41% of 18–25-year-old LGBT* employees reported that they went back into the closet when they moved from education into full-time work, despite being out in their personal lives or at university. As a member of the firm's London IRIS Committee, I wanted to see what we could do to make the transition of our new LGBT* employees into the firm easier. I therefore worked with our Human Resources team to establish an IRIS mentoring programme for future joiners.
Through the programme, every future joiner is offered a mentor, who is a current member of the IRIS Network. Each mentor is a person who understands the worries and anxieties that most LGBT* people have in starting a new job (especially your first job after university) and can help with the transition, having done it themselves. We then throw a welcome event every six months (to coincide with the new intake of trainee solicitors) to enable new joiners to meet others within the IRIS network and for them to see first-hand that it is not only OK to be out at work, but encouraged and respected.
Other ambassadors
Whether they’re developing our digital law practice or championing greater inclusivity at the firm, our ambassadors exhibit our values in everything they do. Click the profiles below to find out more.
Adriel Amoh
Trainee | CorporateA fourth seat trainee, Adriel is currently on a client secondment to Sky after taking a traditional route into law.
Ajay Malhotra Partner | Disputes Ajay is a partner at HSF. His attention to detail and ability to trust his own judgement has guided him through some high-stakes, high-profile cases.
Trystan Cullinan Trainee | Corporate Trystan’s journey began with a traditional Welsh-language education in his hometown. Currently on client secondment, he’d like to encourage a more diverse range of backgrounds into law.
Umu Wurie Associate | CorporateWith a background in biomedical science, Umu is an example of a lawyer who has used their specialist knowledge to their advantage.
Rachel Lidgate Partner | DisputesAs technological advances become ever more relevant to the world of law, our partner Rachel is one step ahead. Learn about the work she’s doing to develop our digital law practice.