TheLawyerFiles – Details, episodes & analysis

🎙️ In this episode of The Lawyer Files, I’m joined by Kat Moody, an Associate Solicitor at Richard Reed Solicitors, for a deep dive into her legal career and what it really takes to thrive in the profession.

We cover:

• ✅ Kat’s personal journey into law and how she overcame early challenges

• ✅ What makes a junior solicitor stand out in today’s legal market

• ✅ Insights into her current practice area and what her day-to-day role involves

• ✅ Practical advice for law students and aspiring solicitors applying for training contracts

Whether you're navigating law school, looking for trainee solicitor tips, or simply curious about legal practice in the UK, this episode is full of actionable insights.

👉 Follow The Lawyer Files on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube for more legal career stories.
📰 And don’t forget to subscribe on Substack to receive blog articles and interviews with legal professionals across the UK.

In this episode of The Lawyer Files, I sit down with Charity Mafuba to explore her inspiring legal journey — from her early interest in law and experience at law school, to specialising in Banking & Finance and eventually qualifying in New York. We talk through the challenges she overcame, how she stays motivated, and her approach to long-term career planning.

If you're a law student, aspiring solicitor, or simply interested in UK legal careers, you’ll find tons of value here.

👉 Follow The Lawyer Files on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to stay up to date.
📰 Subscribe on Substack for written articles from legal professionals across the UK.

Welcome to the very first episode/trailer of The Lawyer Files!

I’m Denice Obeng, and I’m so excited to finally launch this podcast. The Lawyer Files is here to give aspiring solicitors and legal professionals real, unfiltered insights into the legal industry. Whether you’re a law student, a future trainee, or someone considering a legal career, this podcast will provide you with the knowledge, advice, and motivation you need.

Each episode, I’ll be sitting down with legal professionals at different stages of their careers to discuss their journeys, the challenges they’ve faced, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. We’ll be covering everything from training contracts and qualifying as a solicitor to the skills you need to stand out in this competitive field.

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Emerging legal talent and community advocate Oluwatobi Oso shares her journey into law — grounded in intention, resilience, and quiet discipline. A must-listen episode of The Lawyer Files.

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🎙️ In this episode of The Lawyer Files, I sit down with Oluwatobi Oso — a Paralegal at DWF, LLM and LPC graduate with distinction, and a thoughtful voice on growth, volunteering, and navigating the early stages of a legal career with purpose.

From discovering law through a high school career quiz to excelling in both litigation and academic study, Tobi’s story is one of quiet strength, intentional choices, and learning through experience.

We talk about:

✅ How a school quiz led her to law — and the early work experiences that confirmed her calling

✅ Developing core skills in litigation: time management, prioritisation, and attention to detail

✅ The importance of learning from mistakes — and building confidence through reflection

✅ Earning distinctions in the LLM and LPC while working part-time

✅ Why career advice matters (and what she wishes she’d known earlier)

✅ The personal and professional value of volunteering and giving back

Whether you’re starting out in the legal field, studying while working, or finding your voice in the profession — Tobi’s journey is a reminder that success is shaped by preparation, humility, and purpose.

👉 Follow The Lawyer Files on Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

📰 Subscribe on Substack to receive written interviews, insights, and legal career content straight to your inbox.

Head of Prosecutions and mentor Stephanie Ezechukwu shares her journey to shaping national legal policy — blending leadership, representation, and faith. A must-listen episode of The Lawyer Files.

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🎙️ In this episode of The Lawyer Files, I sit down with Stephanie Ezechukwu — Head of Prosecutions at the DVSA, former Home Office Senior Policy Advisor, SQE student, and advocate for representation and public service in the legal sector. From leading prosecutions to co-authoring the statutory guidance for the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Stephanie’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and being “in the room” where change happens.

We talk about:
✅ Her rapid career progression to Head of Prosecutions
✅ Drafting the statutory guidance for the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 — and the impact it continues to have
✅ Navigating leadership roles and representation within the Civil Service
✅ How her Christian faith, motherhood, and community work shape her legal career
✅ Studying for the SQE while leading a team, and the time-management tools that help her stay grounded
✅ The power of mentorship, investing in yourself, and knowing when to pause and ask for help

Whether you’re entering the legal field, working in public service, or trying to balance ambition with authenticity — Stephanie’s journey is a lesson in leading with conviction, grace, and intention.

👉 Follow The Lawyer Files on Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
📰 Subscribe on Substack to receive written interviews, insights, and legal career content straight to your inbox.

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💬 If You or Someone You Know Is Experiencing Domestic Abuse

Stephanie Ezechukwu contributed to the statutory guidance accompanying the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which played a critical role in shaping how domestic abuse is understood and responded to across the UK. The guidance helped expand the statutory definition to include emotional, economic, spiritual, and tech-based abuse—ensuring that the law reflects the complex realities survivors face.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, please know that help is available and confidential. Here are trusted UK services you can contact:

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Run by Refuge)
  📞 0808 2000 247 – Free, 24/7 confidential support for women and children
  🌐 www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

• Respect Men’s Advice Line – Support for male victims of domestic abuse
  📞 0808 801 0327
  🌐 www.mensadviceline.org.uk

• Women’s Aid Live Chat – Secure online chat with trained domestic abuse support workers
  🌐 chat.womensaid.org.uk

• The Mix – Support for under-25s dealing with abuse, mental health, or family issues
  📞 0808 808 4994
  🌐 www.themix.org.uk

If you're unsure where to start, any of these organisations can offer guidance, resources, and a safe space to talk. You are not alone.

Trainee Legal Advisor and public speaker Titomi Sokoya shares her journey from Gatehouse Chambers to the CAB, blending faith, advocacy, and community impact. A powerful episode of The Lawyer Files.

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🎙️ In this episode of The Lawyer Files, I sit down with Titomi Sokoya — trainee legal advisor, public speaker, mezzo-soprano singer, and advocate for mentorship and representation in the legal field. Her journey through the public and private sectors offers a powerful look at resilience, purpose, and speaking up for others.

We talk about:

✅ How family debates and a visit to court during secondary school sparked her interest in law
✅ Her work experience at Gatehouse Chambers and how mini-pupillages shaped her confidence
✅ Insightful events at Clifford Chance, Hogan Lovells, Linklaters, and Netflix — and why receiving Think Big by Dr. Grace Lordan left a lasting impression
✅ Her time at the Citizens Advice Bureau, and how it helped shape her empathetic, client-focused advocacy style
✅ Her dedication to mentorship — from sharing opportunities to guiding others through Bridging Barriers
✅ How faith and music support her through the rigours of her training contract, including the story of winning a BPP singing competition and using vocal exercises to manage stress

Whether you’re applying for training contracts, working in client-facing roles, or balancing your personal and professional identity — Titomi’s story will remind you that purpose, faith, and finding your voice are powerful tools in law and beyond.

👉 Follow The Lawyer Files on Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
📰 Subscribe on Substack to receive written interviews, insights, and legal career content straight to your inbox.

Freshfields Trainee Associate Eve Brooks shares her journey into law, overcoming imposter syndrome, and embracing opportunity. A candid legal career episode on The Lawyer Files.----

🎙️ In this episode of The Lawyer Files, I’m joined by Eve Brooks, a Trainee Associate at Magic Circle firm Freshfields, to talk about confidence, imposter syndrome, and learning to say yes to opportunity. Her legal journey — marked by curiosity, open-mindedness, and smart risk-taking — is both relatable and empowering.
(P.S. Happy Birthday, Eve! 🎉)

We explore:

• ✅ Taking a leap into law — and discovering strengths in problem-solving, communication, and legal thinking

• ✅ The value of early work experience — from retail and reception to student union leadership, and how it built her people skills

• ✅ Demystifying the Magic Circle — what it’s really like to train at Freshfields and why its culture might surprise you

• ✅ Tackling imposter syndrome in high-performance environments and the strategies Eve uses to stay grounded

• ✅ Saying yes to opportunity — and how legal programmes, networks, and instinctive choices shaped her career path

• ✅ How non-legal experiences shaped her legal mindset and approach to client work and collaboration

Whether you're a prospective law student, a trainee navigating firm culture, or someone doubting how your current path fits into your legal future, Eve’s story reminds us that no experience is ever wasted and that growth is rarely linear.

👉 Follow The Lawyer Files on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more real stories from legal professionals.
📰 And don’t forget to subscribe on Substack for thoughtful legal career advice and inspiring interviews from across the UK legal sector.

Asiyah Randera, award-winning trainee solicitor, shares her honest journey through law school, mentorship, and radical rest. An empowering episode of The Lawyer Files.----

🎙️ In this powerful episode of The Lawyer Files, I sit down with Asiyah Randera — an award-winning trainee solicitor and outspoken advocate for mentorship, representation, and radical rest. From being a first-generation university student to becoming a role model for aspiring lawyers, Asiyah’s story is one of resilience, honesty, and inspiration.

We explore:

• ✅ The emotional weight of not securing a training contract right after university — and how that season shaped her growth

• ✅ The realities of the LPC, including academic pressure, isolation, and self-advocacy

• ✅ The viral LinkedIn post that celebrated her academic results — and why it resonated with so many

• ✅ Why mentorship is about more than advice, and how to find it even when you feel intimidated

• ✅ The power of vulnerability and how being open about struggles can reshape legal culture

• ✅ The impact of winning the Combar Award, David Baxter Award, and Thomson Reuters Prize — and how they deepened her purpose

• ✅ Her ongoing advocacy for rest, self-worth, and building space for those underrepresented in the legal profession

If you’re applying for training contracts, battling imposter syndrome, or simply redefining what success means, this episode is your reminder that vulnerability is strength — and that your journey doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

👉 Follow The Lawyer Files on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube to hear more authentic legal stories.
📰 Don’t forget to subscribe on Substack for weekly insights and interviews with legal professionals across the UK.

Gloria Mapamboli shares her journey from CITI Bank to the House of Commons, balancing motherhood and career growth. A powerful public sector story on The Lawyer Files podcast.

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🎙️ In this episode of The Lawyer Files, I sit down with Gloria Mapamboli, an Enquiry Executive Apprentice at the House of Commons and passionate advocate for young working mothers. Her journey — from corporate finance at CITI Bank at age 18 to government work and motherhood — is a powerful example of resilience, ambition, and reinvention.

We discuss:

• ✅ Gloria’s return to the workforce after becoming a mother, and the challenges of securing flexible apprenticeships

• ✅ Her transition from the high-paced corporate world to the culture of public sector governance

• ✅ How she balances academic study with her demanding role, and the time-management tools that keep her grounded

• ✅ The leadership and teamwork lessons she learned from basketball that continue to shape her professional life

• ✅ Her honest advice for young professionals, especially those building careers across both corporate and public sector landscapes

Whether you’re a working parent, a career changer, a student, or someone seeking a meaningful role in public service, this episode is rich with practical insights and motivation.

👉 Follow The Lawyer Files on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube for more empowering stories from across the legal and public sector.
📰 Don’t forget to subscribe on Substack for weekly articles and interviews with trailblazing legal professionals.

Ukrainian solicitor Viktoriia Ishcheriakova shares her journey from advocate in Ukraine to LLM candidate in the UK, offering insights on law, migration, and resilience. A legal podcast by The Lawyer Files.---

🎙️ In this episode of The Lawyer Files, I’m joined by Viktoriia Ishcheriakova — a Ukrainian solicitor (advocate), legal academic, and LLM candidate at the University of Sunderland — to explore her extraordinary legal journey from Ukraine to the UK.

We discuss:

• ✅ Viktoriia’s 20+ year legal career in Ukraine, where she represented tax authorities and advocated in family, civil, and administrative cases

• ✅ Her move to the UK in 2022 and the complex transition into the British legal system

• ✅ The emotional and professional realities of starting over in a new country, and how she stays grounded through change

• ✅ Her academic insights into comparative law, arbitration, and what the UK legal education system can learn from international practice

Whether you're a legal professional, an aspiring lawyer, or simply someone inspired by stories of strength, purpose, and reinvention, this episode offers an honest and moving perspective.

👉 Follow The Lawyer Files on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to hear more real stories from the legal world.
📰 Subscribe on Substack for thought-provoking articles from legal professionals across the UK and beyond.