Emerging legal voice and solicitor apprentice Desiree Obioma shares her powerful journey into the profession — shaped by resilience, real-world experience, and a refusal to let fear decide her future. A must-listen episode of The Lawyer Files.
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🎙️ In this episode of The Lawyer Files, I sit down with Desiree Obioma — solicitor apprentice at Addleshaw Goddard, former paralegal apprentice, and a standout advocate for representation, mentorship, and making legal careers more accessible to everyone.
From working shifts at McDonald’s and JD Sports while studying four A-Levels, to finding her voice in the Corporate team at a top commercial firm, Desiree’s story is one of grit, growth, and backing herself — even when it felt uncomfortable. Through her reflections on allyship, navigating seat rotations, and the power of mentorship, she reminds us that legal success isn’t about following one path — it’s about owning yours.
We talk about:
✅ How A-Level Law helped everything “click” — and how she discovered the apprenticeship route
✅ What retail and hospitality taught her about pressure, teamwork, and professionalism
✅ The importance of mentors who see you — and speak up when others don’t
✅ Taking the leap into the solicitor apprenticeship (even when she almost didn’t apply)
✅ Confidence, belonging, and becoming the first apprentice in the Scottish team
✅ Her advice to aspiring lawyers facing imposter syndrome or uncertainty
Whether you're exploring your route into law, building confidence in corporate spaces, or figuring out how to stay authentic while growing fast — Desiree’s story is a masterclass in courage, consistency, and showing up even when it’s hard.
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