My name is Anisa Roles. I graduated from University in 2015 with a 2:1 Law Degree. Between 2015-2018, I took time to travel abroad and gain work experience which included a Vacation Scheme and various legal admin roles.
In 2019 I moved to Manchester to study the LPC LLM at University of Law. I graduated in 2020 with Distinction and went on to work at DWF as a Paralegal until 2021.
In August 2021, I commenced my Training Contract at Kennedys in Manchester and qualified in 2023.
What is your current role and how long have you been at Kennedys for?
I currently work as an Associate in the Manchester Property, Energy and Construction Team. I mainly work on Property Recoveries but occasionally, Defence and Coverage.
What inspired you to apply to Kennedys?
I attended a lot of Law Fairs and would speak to various people who worked at Kennedys. I also attended their virtual Vacation Scheme to gain more knowledge about the firm. One thing that stuck out to me is the firm’s culture and values. I find everyone at the firm to be approachable and friendly.
What has been the single most important thing you've learned so far in your role?
The most important thing I have learned is time management. It is very important to manage my time well in order to complete tasks and prevent falling behind.
What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
A normal day for me starts at 9am. I will check my emails and my tasks for the day and prioritise the work that needs to be done. I tend to start with the most important tasks and leave the afternoon for anything else. Some of my tasks will include drafting letters of claims, client reports and negotiating settlement to name a few.
When I am in the office (Tuesdays and Thursdays), I like to take time out of the office at lunchtime to get some fresh air and pick up some food. I then work in the afternoon until about 5pm before I go home. I then pick up some tasks once I am home if needed to ensure I meet my target.
What do you find most interesting with the sector/industry you’re in?
I find it interesting because my matters are varied; I could be working on a large flooding claim, construction claim, subsidence, or vehicle impact damage matter as examples. It is very different and keeps my mind stimulated.
What is the company culture like?
People at Kennedys work together to achieve goals. The firm empowers you to do better and encourages you to engage in regular training to increase your knowledge.
There is an inclusive and supportive culture here too which is one of the things I love about it.
How important is diversity to you and what is Kennedys doing in this space at the moment?
Diversity is very important to me as a person with a mixed background. Kennedys are committed to D&I initiatives and raising awareness. There are various committees to be a part of including EMBRACE which is Kennedys' cultural and ethnic diversity network. This network aims to advance racial inclusion and celebrate heritage and cultural differences.
I am an EMBRACE champion for the Manchester office and currently working on organising an Eid event for the office which will include food, decorations and possible a henna artist!
Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to applying to Kennedys?
Don’t give up! If you are not successful during the first round, please try again. I applied twice before I was accepted onto the training scheme and so it is important to be resilient.
Make sure to attend as many law fairs as possible and apply to partake in the Vacation Scheme. When applying for the Training Contract, really look into the firms values and the work that we do which can be found on our website. Lastly, take your time with your answers and re-read them before submitting.