Negar Saffari is one of the paralegals in the Private Client department, assisting with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and estate administrations (probate) and an integral part of the growing team within the firm. Negar has chosen to train to become a solicitor through the Solicitors Qualifying Exam route which is coupled with relevant work experience and replaced the traditional training contact qualification route. We asked Negar about her decision to go into law and the route she has chosen.

Why did you decide on a career in law?

I recognise the importance of access to expert advice. Unfortunately, the support my family and I needed in the past was not readily available, however, the law has advanced and is now accessible to everyone who may require it be it in a matter of family, conveyancing, probate or other personal legal issues

Legislation is always evolving, which can make it difficult for members of the public to stay up to date on current legal positions or even understand the terminology used. I decided to pursue a career in law as it enables me to provide support to the community especially during their moments of greatest need. I enjoy listening to clients and providing solutions to their needs.  Speaking Persian/Farsi as well as English enables me to interact with clients more successfully.

Why did you decide on the career path chosen vs other routes into law?

When I attended university, I wasn’t 100% sure on what the roles of a solicitor or barrister entailed. Soon after graduating and beginning my career as a secretary I gained a new appreciation for the work solicitors do. They advocate for their clients in and outside of the court. They provide their clients with support throughout matters and procedure and, if desired, are granted the right to represent them in the High Court.  This was all hugely appealing to me, and I am now continuing my journey to become a solicitor, currently practicing in Private Client matters.

Describe a typical day in your role at Clark Willis

I start each day by making a list of tasks in order of priority and working my way through this list throughout the day. Organisation for a solicitor is very important due to the number of cases and clients being dealt with and competing demands on time.

A typical day currently consists of seeing clients for Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and being responsible for those files, together with undertaking estate administration, either on my own files or working alongside Alex Spurr, the Director responsible for the department, and learning from the rest of the team every day!

What are your hopes for the future?

I hope to become a fully qualified solicitor. In order to accomplish this, I am currently undertaking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination course and will sit my first exams in July. Whilst studying, I will work full-time and study part-time on weekends. When I graduate, my goal is to become an expert in my field of practice and continue to serve the community giving great advice and guidance!

Advice for anyone considering a career in law?

I would advise perseverance and not being shy about putting yourself out there. I began my career as a secretary and I’m now a paralegal with a view to beginning a training contract soon. There are several ways to become a qualified solicitor, including apprenticeships, SQE and CILEX, making it more attainable than ever and so my advice is to explore the possible options and choose the right pathway for you.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

Outside of work I enjoy exercising at the gym and reading books, fantasy is my favorite genre. Currently I am trying to teach myself piano.

For more information on the Solicitors Qualifying Exam route into law, and other options, please visit the Solicitors Regulation Authority website SRA | Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route | Solicitors Regulation Authority