Modern Law Magazine Issue 69

INSIGHT
From Post-Qualified to Partner
For some people, becoming a partner is a lifetime ambition, the pinnacle that indicates
success in our careers. As someone who has progressed from newly qualified solicitor to
partner in eight years, I am often approached for advice by those who have their sights set
on similar aspirations.
Partnership brings increased
recognition and reward but there are
also responsibilities and accountability,
so my first step was to understand
the implications. This meant having
internal discussions at an early stage
to understand the role of partner at
my firm and highlight my goals and
aspirations so that I could plan and
work proactively towards them.
My firm has a ‘Pathway to Partnership’
programme which I was invited to
join as part of the process. Achieving
partnership requires dedication. I have
always had a desire to make the law
accessible. I have always wanted to do
the best for my clients. Becoming a
partner meant I also had a greater part
in ensuring the success of the business
and having increased responsibility
for my colleagues – their goals and
aspirations.
As a Private Client lawyer advising on
inheritance planning, administration
of estates and wills I am aware that
people from all walks of life suffer
loss and grief, from those who have
a modest family home and savings to
high net-worth clients with multiple
properties, shares and investments
over more than one jurisdiction. These
people have all worked hard to achieve
their life’s ambitions and they all need
to be treated with sympathy and
understanding.
I wanted to grow my career with a firm
that shared that vision, that is one of
the reasons why LCF Law stood out
to me. The firm’s culture is shaped by
a recognition that its people are what
drives its success. LCF Law places great
emphasis on developing, training and
investing in its lawyers whilst providing
flexibility and recognising that we all
have a life outside work.
Before starting my NQ position at
LCF Law, I worked as a paralegal in
several different areas of the law which
gave me a useful foundation in the
profession. You can’t know everything
from a six-month seat in one area of
law so you’re still learning as a newly
qualified solicitor – in fact, you never
stop learning.
That’s why it’s so important not only
to have a structured development
programme but also to have helpful
and approachable people around you.
I count myself incredibly lucky to have
had a mentor in Neil Shaw, a partner
and our head of department, and to be
surrounded by colleagues who always
take the time to help.
Neil and the firm supported me to
pursue the areas of law I’m interested
in, leading me to become one of just
133 lawyers worldwide to hold STEP’s
Advanced Certificate in Cross-Border
Estates when I qualified in 2020. This
has enabled me to help the increasing
numbers of people who have assets
and investments outside England and
Wales, differentiating us as a firm and
introducing me to new clients.
My drive to make law accessible
extends to my colleagues. I developed a
six-month in-house training programme
for our Personal Law Team and have
now helped to grow the number of
lawyers in the department.
As a partner and mentor, it’s important
to be available and this isn’t always
easy. To make this work, I aim to
empower my team to make their own
decisions, which is just as much about
building their confidence as their
technical ability.
We are only exposed to the matters
that come our way but with experience
and the right support, it becomes easier
to adapt to new situations and we
become increasingly self-sufficient. In
my specialism, I’ve now 2 / 2 covered
about 45% of jurisdictions in the world
and I know that I will be able to deal
with new ones confidently as new cases
arise.
Having developed my career in such a
supportive environment, I have always
wanted the same for my team. No
matter what stage you’re at in your
career is important. I involve colleagues
at all levels by encouraging them to
speak up openly and freely and to seek
feedback.
Career progression is not just about
what we do in the office. My passion
for law and helping others has also
led me to work with schools to open
the route to careers in the legal sector,
which has been incredibly rewarding
and helped me to build my profile and
connections.
Becoming a partner takes passion,
commitment and the drive to learn
and help others. If you possess these
attributes, with the right support you
too can develop the technical ability,
commercial mindset and soft skills you
need to achieve your ambitions.
Amjed Zaman,
Personal Law Partner, LCF Law
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