By Tiona Shabani
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Navigating the Legal World Networking event hosted by ALSA at one of London's top law firms. It was an evening filled with insights, laughter, and unexpected discussions. The event took place at Herbert Smith Freehills, at their gorgeous London office. The venue itself created a perfect backdrop for the evening. Finding the location turned into a funny adventure taking around 20 minutes circling around the office trying to find it, eventually I did, all thanks to Denisa and her red ALSA t-shirt.
The panelists were nothing short of inspiring, sharing their valuable perspectives and insights. What set this event apart were the thought-provoking questions posed. A refreshing departure from the usual questions at legal events. The panelists went the extra mile in their answers, expanding as much as they could. A thoughtful touch were the leaflets on every seat with the panelists' names, LinkedIn profiles, and details about joining ALSA. I, personally, loved these leaflets. The networking, itself, stood out for its inclusive atmosphere. Attendees asked questions freely, breaking the usual hesitation or awkwardness. Surprisingly, the conversations weren't all about legal complexities. At one point, we found ourselves discussing chocolate flavours with a panelist and then came the funny revelation — Skype is the undercover tool for trainees, helping them share gossip, and more, all without the firms tracking them. Who would've thought Skype could be a secret weapon to keep sane during the legal grind?
It was truly uplifting to come across numerous aspiring barristers and solicitors from diverse academic backgrounds and experiences. All willing to help, being open to offering assistance and sharing insights into various roles that might capture the interest of others.
Navigating the Legal World wasn't just a networking event, it was an experience. The welcoming and inclusive atmosphere with the mix of humour and wisdom, and the unexpected revelations made it one of the best networking events I've been to. As an aspiring solicitor, I left with valuable insights and a newfound appreciation for the role of laughter in the legal journey.
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