Sanna Mazhar | Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell

New alumna and Irwin Mitchell trainee Sanna Mazhar has just started her training contract and is a great advocate of the transferable skills a University of Law (ULaw) degree gives you.

I chose ULaw because of its reputation and links to the industry. In the current climate it’s clear that you need to have the best links and an excellent knowledge of the industry to succeed. ULaw offered just that, giving me the opportunity to build my understanding of the sector, the application process, and the law itself. This gave me the perfect foundation to then go forward and start applying for Training Contracts. Plus the tutors are all qualified solicitors, so that offers insight into the practical aspects of the profession while learning the content.

I chose the LLB course because you learn through practical learning and it gave me the opportunity to complete the LLB in two years. As someone who enjoys learning by getting involved in each session it allowed me to actively absorb information in a light-hearted and enjoyable way. I’ve always wanted to be a solicitor and knew from the outset that my goal was to get a Training Contract. So the LLB was the first step in working towards this.

While at ULaw I also got involved as a Student Ambassador while studying both the LLB and the LPC. The tutors were very friendly and the working environment was focused and enjoyable. The overall experience was very friendly and productive.

I have a training contract with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors with a view to being a qualified solicitor in the next 3 years. I’m currently a Paralegal in the Clinical Negligence department in the Leeds office where I assist the solicitors and partners in pursuing claims against medical authorities who have provided negligent treatment to our clients. I assist in legal research, finding and instructing medical experts, drafting legal documents and statements, and organising conferences with counsel and medical experts.

Because of my LLB I’m now able to assist my team with high value cases to help victims of negligent medical practice; for example, children with cerebral palsy who we’re assisting to get the help that they need to live their lives comfortably. 

The practical nature of the course was hugely beneficial. The tasks build your confidence when speaking to a room full of people and the problem-based learning exercises teach you to critically analyse and handle all types of scenarios.

An LLB from ULaw will give you skills that set you up for life, such as communication and presentation skills, flexibility to deal with different clients, sound knowledge of commercial issues and an understanding of how commerce operates. It gives you a good foundation that can set you up for any career direction.

My top pieces of advice to aspiring law students are to be focused, engage with each module and read different sources. It’s important to keep on top of each week and continually revise as you go along.