The “Explore Options with a Law Degree” panel event, hosted by City, University of London, was an inspiring and energising experience highlighting the diverse possibilities a legal education can unlock. Bringing together accomplished professionals from various fields, the panel gave students a unique opportunity to learn from real-life stories, ask burning questions, and envision their career paths in law and beyond. 

In the constantly evolving professional landscape of law, legal students are finding themselves at a crossroads as traditional legal roles are stabilising (sometimes narrowing) and we see as other options emerging beyond the typical pathway of becoming a barrister or solicitor. A recent event, “Explore Options with a Law Degree,” hosted by  City Careers, offered a comprehensive exploration of various career possibilities for law students, whether sticking on a traditional path or diverging into an atypical industry. This thought-provoking event provided invaluable insights and practical advice, along with networking opportunities. It redefined what a fulfilling legal career can look like.   

The session’s aims focused on how to best prepare and tailor your CV and cover letters for training contract applications,  as well as those all-important interviews.  We also got some great insights into the day-to-day life of the panelists, all of whom used their law degrees in different ways. The panel included:

• Yusuf Hasnain, who is a Data Protection and Compliance Advisor at Merlin Entertainments;
• Pramod Sanatun, a Director, Solicitor and Fee Paid Judge at Appleman Legal;
• Graham McEvoy, long-term Insurance specialist turned Trainee Legal Counsel at MetLife;
• Adam Hussain, Director at Adam Prudens Law, and
• Nadia Begum, Paralegal at Appleman Legal

Here’s the valuable advice we picked up from the panelists: 

Yusuf Hasnain: Data Protection and Compliance Advisor at Merlin Entertainments 

Yusuf offered an engaging look into the intersection of legal expertise and business strategy. Having transitioned from roles in business development to specialising in data protection, Yusuf highlighted the value of transferable skills such as communication and the ability to tailor complex information for clients.  

As a City graduate he could also speak about inititaives available here that he participated in. This included the Micro-Placements Programme, which he did twice!  

This programme offers opportunities for students who want to gain professional experience through summer placements, allowing them to gain real-life work experience, enhance their employability skills and earn credits at the same time. His first placement was a legal internship with a housing organisation and the second at a business-to-business start-up in the commercial sector. Yusuf’s notable advice was to leverage opportunities provided by City in efforts to expand your portfolio through the aforementioned programme and/or participation in law societies, events and clinics hosted by City.  

He encouraged students to explore non-traditional paths, emphasising that every experience—from internships to mentorship programs—contributes to personal growth and professional success, and this included taking experiences outside the legal sector too. His mantra to focus on how opportunities add value to you, rather than just your CV, was a fresh and motivating perspective.  

Pramod Sanatun: Director/Solicitor/Fee-Paid Judge at Appleman Legal  

Pramod, who was a first-generation law graduate who grew his firm from four employees to 22, exemplified resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.  

He initially thought he wanted to pursue an Engineering degree but transitioned to Law. While in post-graduate studies, he would work as an auxiliary nurse which provided him with a host of transferrable skills. These included the analytical ability to evaluate complex situations and make informed decisions under pressure, as well as those all-important communication and interpersonal skills that have since allowed him to effectively interact with clients, negotiate, and present arguments in court.  

Pramod gained a lot of experience and utilised every opportunity he was presented; during the session he shared how perseverance, adaptability, and an unwavering belief in his vision fueled his journey—from working as a healthcare assistant to building his practice. His most notable advice was to never take no for an answer and emphasised the importance of developing soft skills, as legal practice extends beyond the knowledge of the law.  

Pramod’s practical tips on securing work placements, shadowing judges, and tailoring applications to job descriptions resonated deeply with students eager to stand out in a competitive job market.  

Graham McEnvoy: Trainee Legal Counsel at Metlife 

Graham, now an in-house lawyer at MetLife, shared his journey from an early career in insurance to managing legal risks, contracts, and marketing compliance in the corporate world. Like other panelists, Graham also had an unconventional route to this career in the legal sector. He initially worked in the Insurance industry for over 16 years before completing his Law degree in 2009 and faced the difficulties of seeking a training contract due to the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. He continued working his way up in insurance until he was offered an opportunity to work closely with the in-house legal team prior to joining them full time this year. His reflections on working in smaller firms during university emphasised the importance of gaining varied experiences, taking advantage of placements, no matter how short. 

Graham’s experience is a prominent example of not being rigid in your approach during your legal career path in relation to not assuming that a pupillage or trainee contract will immediately follow after graduation. He continued to build his portfolio and hone his skills, whilst waiting for the best opportunity to become available.  

Graham’s practical advice to seek opportunities by leveraging personal connections and staying persistent in the competitive vacation scheme process left students feeling empowered and prepared for the challenges ahead.  

Adam Hussain: Director at Adam Prudens Law 

Adam who oversees civil and commercial legal work while championing social justice initiatives, brought passion and global experience to the discussion. He inspired attendees by recounting his time working in South Africa and Australia, emphasising the transformative impact of stepping out of one’s comfort zone.  

The most impactful takeaway from his discussions circled around broadening the scope of legal work experience beyond structured schemes to build up your portfolio. Adam stressed how vital it was to take advantage of these opportunities to expand your network and develop longstanding relationships that may offer benefits in the future. 

His recommendation was to approach firms with tailored and proactive applications and treat interviews as a mutual opportunity to assess compatibility.  His anecdotes about pro bono work and international exposure illustrated how legal professionals could make a meaningful difference while advancing their careers.  

Nadia Begum: Paralegal at Appleman Legal  

Nadia, a mental health paralegal, provided a grounded perspective on alternative legal careers. Her work representing patients at tribunals highlighted the value of roles that blend advocacy and compassion. Coming from a non-law background, she spoke candidly about the challenges of navigating the legal profession without prior experience, encouraging students who might feel similarly underprepared. Her journey to qualifying as a solicitor through the SQE route showcased the evolving accessibility of legal qualifications. 

Key Takeaways   

A common thread throughout the event was the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and using every experience as a building block. Panelists consistently emphasised the value of practical work experience, whether through formal vacation schemes, short placements, or even non-legal roles that develop transferable skills. They also encouraged students to leverage university resources, like micro placements and mentorship programs, while broadening their horizons with international or community-based initiatives. The panelists’ transparency about their struggles, including rejections and unconventional career paths, was relatable and inspiring. Their willingness to share lessons learned along the way—such as the importance of tailored applications, effective networking, and finding the right cultural fit in firms—left attendees with actionable advice they could implement immediately.  

Broadening Horizons as a Future Lawyer   

More than just an informational session, this panel event celebrated the versatility of a law degree and the many ways it can be used to shape a meaningful career. By presenting such a broad spectrum of career possibilities and offering honest, practical guidance, the panelists inspired students to think big, stay open-minded, and take bold steps toward their goals. The event served as a potent reminder that a career in law is not limited to the courtroom. Whether through corporate legal work, data protection, mental health advocacy, or international pro bono efforts, the possibilities are boundless for those willing to explore them. Students left the event more informed, energised, and excited to take control of their professional futures. 

Thanks to Katherine Quach and Alexia Anand for this comprehensive review of the Exploring Pathways session. They are both students in the first year of their GELLB course at City and members of the Lawbore journalism team.

Alexia is from Toronto, Canada and brings a passion for family law inspired by her philanthropic work with children through the Toronto Blue Jays.

She chose the City Law School to broaden her horizons, gain insight into UK law, and develop the adaptability needed to thrive in an international legal landscape.

Katherine Quach intends to pursue a career in Law with a focus on real estate and commercial litigation.

She is from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and studied Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University, with a minor in Criminology and a Legal Studies Specialization. Alongside writing for Lawbore, Katherine is the GELLB representative for City’s Law Society, which aims to bring the community together by providing resources, organizing events and networking opportunities that cater to the diverse legal student body at City. Outside of the classroom, Katherine enjoys playing ultimate frisbee or finding the best restaurants in London.