#22 UK Legal Podcast: Habeeba’s Journey from Volunteering at University to Trainee Solicitor at Hay & Kilner
Description
Emerging legal talent and trainee solicitor Habeeba shares her inspiring journey into the legal profession — shaped by empathy, real-world experience, and a deep commitment to client-focused practice. A must-listen episode of The Lawyer Files.
🎙️
In this episode of The Lawyer Files, I sit down with Habeeba — Trainee Solicitor at Hay & Kilner, whose path into law has been shaped by early exposure to family law, volunteering with Support Through Court, and working with real clients at the Student Law Office.
From gaining confidence as a first-generation university student to learning how to support people through some of the most emotionally difficult moments of their lives, Habeeba’s story is grounded in resilience, reflection, and people-first practice.
We talk about:
✅ How an early internship at a high street law firm sparked her interest in family law
✅ What it was like supporting unrepresented individuals during court hearings — and how that shaped her view of the legal profession
✅ Her experience in the Student Law Office and what it taught her about real-life legal work
✅ Why empathy and communication skills are essential for solicitors working in private client law
✅ Her honest reflections on building confidence and navigating self-doubt during university
✅ Advice for aspiring solicitors on building experience early, without comparing your journey to others
✅ How volunteering, soft skills, and quiet consistency all helped her secure a training contract
Whether you’re trying to build legal experience during university, feeling unsure about your path, or simply looking for encouragement to keep going — Habeeba’s story is full of insight, warmth, and strength.
👉 Follow The Lawyer Files on Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music📰 Subscribe on Substack for written interviews, legal career advice, and behind-the-scenes insight from the next generation of legal talent.
Contact/Enquiries:
IG: 1Denice.x
Email: Thelawyerfiles@outlook.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denice-o/