Name: Chuka Umunna
Male
Solicitor
Central London Firm

My name is Chuka Umunna.  I was born in 1978 which makes me 27 years at the time of writing.  I have been practising as a solicitor since September 2004.

I read English Law and French Law at Manchester University and graduated with a 2:1 in 2001.  I did my Legal Practice Course (LPC) at Nottingham School of Law and joined Herbert Smith as a Trainee Solicitor in August 2002.  I received offers of training contracts from other City firms but I was most impressed with Herbert Smith.

I became interested in a career in the City following a visit to the vast trading floor of a well-known investment bank in New York when I was 16.  At the time I was also attracted to the Bar, as I was a keen debater.  Later I did some research into a career as a City solicitor.  A career as a City solicitor appealed to me because it seemed to provide a good mix of being involved in the world of business and finance, and doing a job which required logical reasoning and the good marshalling of arguments.  I also found that the subjects I excelled at in the academic arena required much the same skills as those needed to be an effective solicitor.  Having worked at a couple of investment banks, several law firms and having done a mini-pupillage at a barristers' chambers, I formed the view that a career as a solicitor was the best path for me.  Also, I should mention there is a strong legal tradition in my family - my mother is also a solicitor, my uncle is a barrister and my grandfather was a High Court judge – so this is likely to also have had some effect on my decision.

I successfully completed my training contract and joined the Employment Group of Herbert Smith when I was admitted in September 2004.  In April 2006 I moved to the Employment Department of West End firm, Rochman Landau, in order to broaden my client base (beyond the large multinational employers that a City firm tends to act for) and in order to do more contentious work.  I advise employers and employees on all aspects of employment law, including contentious matters (unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, discrimination etc.) and non-contentious matters (corporate transactions).  I could not describe a typical day or week, because every day is different. 

What I find most interesting about my work is getting to know people's working relationships and the dynamics involved.  After all, while as a society we obsess about romantic relationships, we forget that to some extent we spend more time with those in our workplace than we do with our loved ones.

My advice to those considering a career in law:
•      Ensure you get a 2:1 degree - without this many prospective employers will pass you over.
•      Attention to detail is key, which means that any application must be devoid of typos, and properly prepared and thought out.
•      Persevere – it is very competitive out there, so be prepared for disappointment and keep fighting when things don't seem to be working out.

I enjoy being a lawyer, the human interest and the intellectual challenge involved in what I do, and can't think of anything else I would like to do at this point in my life.