Heidi Daryanani, Future Trainee Solicitor at RPC — On Paralegal Experience, Training Contracts and Standing Out in Applications

In this episode, Heidi shares her journey from growing up between India, Ireland and the UK to securing a training contract at RPC, offering practical advice for aspiring lawyers navigating the increasingly competitive route into commercial law.

Heidi reflects on discovering commercial law through years of study and practical experience rather than following a predetermined plan. She explains why spending time inside law firms, working alongside lawyers and reflecting on what genuinely interests you is often the best way to determine whether a legal career is the right fit.

The conversation explores Heidi's experiences working as a paralegal at both a leading US law firm and a specialist human rights practice. She discusses working on the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, helping prepare witness questions and submissions, before moving into high-value international arbitration and complex commercial litigation at a US firm.

Heidi explains why paralegal experience can provide far more than legal knowledge. From drafting documents and managing clients to understanding billing, communication and the commercial realities of legal practice, she highlights how these experiences build confidence long before starting a training contract.

A major focus of the episode is the competitive paralegal job market. Heidi shares the challenges of applying after graduation, the importance of persistence and how working with recruitment agencies, remaining open-minded and being willing to start in document review helped launch her legal career.

The discussion also explores how candidates can use paralegal experience effectively during training contract applications. Heidi explains how she linked her practical experience to the firm's strengths, demonstrated genuine interest in litigation and arbitration, and used conversations with trainees and recent judgments to show commercial awareness and preparation.

The conversation offers valuable insights into how law firms assess candidates beyond academic performance. Heidi explains why understanding how firms operate as businesses, appreciating client relationships and recognising the commercial pressures faced by lawyers helped strengthen both her applications and interviews.

Throughout the episode, Heidi emphasises the importance of resilience during the application process. She discusses how rejection is an inevitable part of pursuing a training contract and why candidates should focus on objective self-improvement rather than assuming every rejection reflects their ability.

Finally, Heidi shares practical advice for aspiring lawyers: stay persistent, keep building experience wherever possible, remain open to unexpected opportunities and remember that it only takes one firm to recognise your potential.

00:00 Introduction
00:20 Meet Heidi Daryanani
01:00 Why Commercial Law?
02:00 Working as a Paralegal
03:00 The COVID-19 Inquiry Experience
04:00 Human Rights vs US Law Firms
05:00 Skills You Gain as a Paralegal
06:00 Finding Your First Paralegal Role
07:00 Recruitment Agencies & Document Review
08:00 Standing Out in Applications
09:00 Using Paralegal Experience in Interviews
10:00 Litigation, Arbitration & Commercial Awareness
11:00 Understanding Law Firms as Businesses
12:00 Building Practical Legal Skills
13:00 Dealing with Rejection & Staying Resilient
14:00 Final Advice for Aspiring Lawyers