Fabian’s Story

By Fabian Murray – Solicitor Apprentice – DLA Piper & part of the pro-manchester Social Mobility Committee

I grew up in Gorton in East Manchester, an area in the top 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. However, despite various obstacles and lack of opportunities due to my socio-economic background, I set my sights high from an early age, to achieve all that I have to date and be successful in my chosen career path. I am now on track to qualify as a solicitor (via the solicitor apprenticeship route) at DLA Piper, a global law firm.

I attended Wright Robinson College, an inner-city high school, leaving with a clean sweep of A*s and A’s in my GCSEs. I thrived in the school’s debate team and enjoyed representing my school in the Debate Mate league. My academic interests were shaped by my love of reading, history and politics and I was often referred to as a bookworm. Furthermore, I had also developed an interest in urban regeneration, witnessing first hand, East Manchester undergoing an extensive regeneration programme. This no doubt influenced my choice of A-Levels. I went on to Xaverian College to complete A-levels in History, Geography and Politics (A,A,A*).

College would see me contemplating my future career plans in depth. I had often thought about a career in law. However, I didn’t fully understand what this career path involved. Time moves fast in college and the push towards university was always prevalent. I felt there was a huge focus on students applying to university, with numerous UCAS workshops available and trips to universities. At this time, apprenticeships were under the radar, and I was swept away with the majority of students in preparing for university. The question on the tip of everyone’s tongue was, “What University are you going to?”. Off I went, giving my UCAS application everything I had.

I found myself in the position of having offers on the table from every university I had applied to, aside from Oxford. In fact, Oxford had always been a thorn in my side. I had deliberated back and forth, and again and again, on whether I should apply here. My academic abilities were on par for a solid application to Oxford. However, the doubt I experienced was due to my background. Was I ‘Oxford worthy’? After making it to the interview stage at Oxford, which was a huge achievement in itself for me, I was finally told that I had been unsuccessful in my application. I guess this was a turning point in my future plans. I had become disillusioned with the thought of the whole university experience, and I stopped to consider if this was really for me. I calculated that if I went to the university of my choice, with all financial support in place, and lived in the cheapest accommodation, I would have been surviving on less than £100 a week. This didn’t appeal to me and indeed would have been a struggle. I saw university as an extension of college, in the fact that it was solely focused on academics, and I wanted to discover new challenges and opportunities.

Having expressed my concerns and uncertainty regarding university, the discovery of legal apprenticeships came at just the right time. An alternative route into law post 18 was the perfect choice for me! With thanks to my Mum’s unwavering support, she was not afraid to advise me to go against the grain and apply to law firms if that’s what I ultimately wanted to do. In no uncertain terms, she made it clear that there was no disappointment on her part if I didn’t go to university. I was aware of the stigma attached to apprenticeships and the pressure that comes with being regarded as academic and throwing away my education by not going to university. Indeed, this would make way for a number of awkward conversations when I was asked about my future plans post college. Generally, people were confused, bemused, and shocked that a straight A student would pick an apprenticeship over university.

I was attracted to an apprenticeship due to numerous benefits and advantages the programme offered. Picking up on the financial point, it provided me with a stable income and removed the prospect of student debt. This has allowed me to live and enjoy my income, rather than struggling financially at university, Furthermore, you will hear apprentices singing the praises of on the job training and I cannot agree more, it is invaluable. It became a race against time to apply for the few legal apprenticeships on offer in 2018. Apprenticeships in the legal sector did not have the popularity nor availability they do now. It was a bit of a whirlwind, sitting A-Levels one minute, and applying to law firms the next, fitting in assessment centres, to receiving offers from a number of firms for the position of paralegal apprentice.

I accepted an offer at an international law firm, for the role of a apprentice and that is when it began. I was no longer Fabian Murray the A-Level student, working part time in retail. Here I was, Fabian, the paralegal apprentice at an international law firm. It was time to find my way in the legal industry, previously having only ten days work experience at a law firm and the odd law insight days and summer schools under my belt, this was an entirely new world. School and college had prepared me for the academic side of the apprenticeship. However, the reality was, entering the profession, I had little awareness of general office etiquette, networking or building and developing my personal brand and certainly didn’t know how to navigate my way around a law firm. Imposter syndrome hit me hard! If I kept my head down and worked hard, perhaps no one would realise I felt out of place – this mindset turned out to be counterproductive. I was faced by obstacles and barriers being the first member of my family to work in professional services. This was a huge learning curve and goes to show how apprenticeships challenge you every step of the way and bring out the best in you. I made mistakes but I learnt from them, I increased in confidence, I stepped out of my comfort zone, this all led to where I am today.

After completing the paralegal apprenticeship, in September 2021 I joined DLA Piper as part of their first cohort of solicitor apprentices. As of the date of this article, I am 22 years old with over four years’ experience in the legal sector. My pathway has not been straightforward, but I am grateful this has been the case. The challenges that I faced have instilled in me a drive and motivation, not only for self-improvement, but to challenge conventions and push for change in the legal profession. I am proud of the future lawyer that I am becoming and the initiatives that I am involved with outside of my fee earning work. For example, this year I was a primary contributor to the framework of the ‘Belong and Succeed’ conference hosted by the University of Law, which was designed to showcase diversity in the professional world and provide students with insight, inspiration and practical support to help overcome some of the challenges and barriers they might face entering the professional services industry.

At the moment there is a real buzz surrounding legal apprentices taking law firms by storm. I am excited and encouraged to be part of the next generation of lawyers qualifying by the apprenticeship route. I am excited to see an increase in law firms recognising the value apprentices bring to their business and a huge drive to recruit more apprentices across the legal sector. Barriers are being stripped away and myths surrounding apprentices continue to be debunked. The apprenticeship community is riding high, and we feel supported and valued for our hard work and merits. All I ask is that the industry acknowledge that legal apprenticeships must focus on increasing access into the profession for those from underrepresented backgrounds. As apprenticeships surge in popularity, the figures show that those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are lagging behind in being offered higher degree apprenticeships such as the solicitor apprenticeship. I feel a duty to act as a representative and advocate for those from backgrounds similar to mine. Fostering a diverse and inclusive culture is much more than just the “right thing” to do, there is a strong business case for diversity of thought creating more profitable teams and as our clients develop, their preferences in firms. For me, apprenticeships are an “easy” way to attract a broader range of diverse talent, if the correct parameters are in place in terms of recruitment and development.

I stand proud and bold as someone who doesn’t meet the stereotype of a lawyer. I am often not what people expect, my strong Mancunian accent is frequently commented on, as is my afro hair. It was only last summer that I felt confident enough, although somewhat sceptical, to wear a short-sleeved shirt exposing the multiple tattoos on my arms without feeling I was professionally compromised or judged. I no longer feel like “the elephant in the room “and embrace all of the characteristics that make me unique, and I have gone from strength to strength with the continued support from DLA Piper.

The unwavering support of DLA Piper resulted in me being shortlisted for ‘Apprentice of the Year’ for the MiMA Awards. This really supports the narrative that we should celebrate apprentices from diverse backgrounds, rather than playing it safe with a one size fits all approach!

If you enjoyed Fabian’s story and want to hear more (and get to meet him in person), Fabian will sit on the panel at the upcoming ‘Apprenticeships – a golden ticket for social mobility?’ event on 19th April. For full details and to book your place click here.