Emerging legal talent and trainee solicitor Alya Moktar shares her inspiring journey into law shaped by resilience, visibility, and a commitment to making the profession more accessible. A must listen episode of The Lawyer Files.

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In this episode, I sit down with Alya Moktar future trainee solicitor at Kennedys and one of LinkedIn’s Top 200 Legal Influencers whose legal path bridges international experience, litigation passion, and a growing voice for minority and international representation in law.

From waking up at 5am to commute between Leeds and Halifax for her first paralegal role, to building a LinkedIn presence that challenges misconceptions about Malaysian foundations, Alya’s journey proves that you do not need to wait until qualification to make an impact. With honesty and clarity, she shares how resilience, storytelling, and strategic visibility have shaped her growing legal voice.

We talk about:
✅ How Veer Zaara first inspired her pursuit of justice and a career in law

✅ The cultural shift between Malaysia and the UK and what it taught her about different types of lawyers

✅ Challenges of transitioning from university to the workplace and how she built independence as a paralegal
✅ Why litigation excites her more than transactional work and how it allows her to retell client stories
✅ How she became a Top 200 LinkedIn Influencer and why representation matters for international students and minorities
✅ Practical advice for aspiring solicitors from starting applications early to exploring visa alternatives and making the most of small roles
✅ Her reflections on resilience, visibility, and building a career grounded in opportunity and determination

Whether you are applying for training contracts, navigating law as an international student, or looking for motivation to stay consistent, Alya’s story is filled with practical lessons and encouragement that remind you your legal career is already taking shape with the choices you make today.

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