Introducing Samuel
We recently spoke with Samuel Tahir, Samuel is a paralegal at international law firm, Hogan Lovells. He kindly shared his path to becoming a paralegal, including how he secured his position at a global law firm and advice for aspiring legal professionals.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in the legal industry?
It has been my dream from a very young age. Following a school trip to the courts in year 7, the area caught my attention. After looking into the skills required and different career paths available, I decided to pursue a career in law and have since focused my attention on corporate/commercial law.
This has enabled me to work closely with businesses and gather a strong understanding of how different businesses and work, furthermore it has allowed me to help these same businesses which is something that has certainly given me a great deal of satisfaction.
I studied a law degree, following which I did my LPC and LLM. After I completed this, I applied for a paralegal role and here I am today!
What skills and strengths do you need to be a good Paralegal?
I would say your attitude to learning and development is key at this stage of your career. At this point, ideally you want to soak up as much information as possible but at the same time also be able to add value to your particular role.
Attention to detail is key, as is having a genuine passion and enthusiasm for a career in law. I am firmly of the believe, that if you do not enjoy something, you are unlikely to succeed in it.
There are multiple learning opportunities and if you are willing to learn I believe it is the perfect preparation for post-qualified life.
What was the interview process like to secure your role at Hogan Lovells?
I underwent two interviews, one with the team leader and another with the partner of the team. Following this, I underwent a legal assessment which was focused around the firm’s main practice areas.
It is a huge firm and naturally the opportunities are endless, with there being a very good level of work and development available to you. My tasks include conducting due diligence reports, drafting documentation, reviewing documents and many more things. It is a wide array of different experiences.
What 3 tips would you give to someone seeking a paralegal position?
1 – Be open minded.
2 – Be willing to put the time in.
3 – Make sure it is something you could see yourself doing long term.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to qualify as a solicitor and specialise in a Commercial/Corporate area.
I am hoping to complete my relevant 2 year period and qualify.
Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash
