We spoke with Adam Basinski, corporate solicitor at DLA Piper, as part of a spotlight series* featuring former Ӱ student campus ambassadors, to hear about his route into legal practice. Read on to dive into Adam's advice for law students, from tips on time management to how networking can open doors.
My passion for law was sparked by an interest in problem-solving and a desire to be part of transformative decision-making processes. Growing up, I admired the pivotal role lawyers play in shaping outcomes, both for individuals and businesses.
The University of Birmingham had this beautiful way of using their lectures and seminars to encourage students to think about things from a different perspective, to apply a different lens to a situation. I was drawn to problems where you needed to employ a different approach and think outside the box to come up with a solution.
Law is a very fast-paced, changing environment and being alive to those changes, posing your argument as more valid, is incredibly interesting to me. Becoming a solicitor allowed me to blend my analytical skills with a dynamic career where no two days are the same, and I could work on impactful, high-stakes projects.
Ӱ was invaluable during my studies, providing a robust foundation for legal research and helping me develop a structured approach to case law analysis. There are a number of practical guides which provided me with real-life context to see how the law is applied in practice, which helped me to understand the bigger picture. Completing certifications not only boosted my confidence but also gave me a competitive edge in internships.
Today, Ӱ remains integral in my professional role, particularly in conducting research and staying up to date with what's going on in the market. The practical tools such as the checklists and charts are particularly helpful at illustrating next steps, not just for myself, but also for our clients. They help to build a clear picture.
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Balancing the rigours of academic coursework with building a strong CV was a significant challenge. Oftentimes people would say that the first year doesn't really matter, university’s the time to build connections and enjoy yourself. For law students, though, the pressure to apply for jobs starts quite early on.
Dedicating about 20% of my time to speaking to the career services to understand what the next steps are, doing first year schemes, doing some research into the job market to understand what's likely to be relevant in the next three years was probably the most fundamental thing for me.
Time management became my lifeline – I dedicated specific blocks to study, internships, work and extracurriculars. Staying proactive, asking questions, and seeking mentorship helped me gain clarity and resilience, particularly during high-pressure periods like final exams and securing a training contract.
AI is increasingly integral in tasks such as document review, data management, contract analysis, and progress tracking. While it enhances efficiency, understanding its limitations is key. My advice is to view AI as a tool to complement your skills, not replace them.
Stay curious – learn about the technology, embrace certifications, and participate in workshops to demystify AI’s role in legal practice. But never forego your desire to build strong foundations and a deep understanding of the law, as these remain indispensable in navigating complex legal challenges.
Be curious and proactive. Engage with your peers, professors, and professionals early on – networking opens doors. People are so willing to help. If you just hint to them that you’re interested in something, they will be more than happy to support you.
Nine out of ten times, I was able to do something simply because someone either showed me the way because they've done it before, or they opened the door for me. So be proactive and open those opportunities for yourself by connecting with people who do stuff or have done stuff that you would like to do as well. They will have the knowledge and the relevant expertise, and perhaps even connections so they can put you in touch with.
And I'm not just talking about a network of people outside of your university. Think about your network also quite widely as your peers, your fellow students may one day be your colleagues or will work in firms that you might potentially want to apply to. So be on good terms with everyone.
Embrace the challenges, because they prepare you for the real world. In hindsight, I wish I’d understood sooner that every experience, even setbacks, is part of the journey. Cultivating resilience and adaptability is just as important as mastering the law itself.
The world is a really complicated and scary place sometimes, but if you just take incremental steps and take it bit by bit, I'm sure you can do things that you wouldn't even think are possible.
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