From courtroom curiosity to securing a training contract – Matteo Hassan shares his journey

Matteo Hassan works as a Paralegal in our Banking team and has had his sights set on a legal career since his interest was sparked during his A-levels. Matteo went on to gain a variety of experience at different firms before joining us as a Paralegal, taking part in our Vacation Scheme, and being offered a place on our Training Contract.

Turning curiosity into a career path

I first became interested in a legal career during my last year of A-levels and to find out more I visited a public gallery at Cardiff Crown Court, where a scrap metal theft case was being heard. Even though the case itself wasn’t particularly interesting, I was captivated by how the barrister carried himself and presented the law. That moment sparked my desire to become a lawyer and I’ve been pursuing this ambition ever since.

I went on to study my law degree at Cardiff University before heading to Manchester for my LPC. After completing my LPC, I returned to Cardiff and worked as a paralegal at a local law firm, focusing on landlord and tenant law and commercial property. There, I gained hands-on experience managing files, working with clients, and even attending court hearings as an advocate. Now, I’m working as a banking and finance paralegal at Foot Anstey, continuing to build on that foundation.

Before joining Foot Anstey, I already had my sights set on applying for the firm’s training contract. I was drawn to their sector-based approach to client services and their reputation as an up-and-coming firm in the market - both of which were attractive to me. Working at the firm, I got to experience the culture firsthand, and it was a perfect fit for me. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and it was clear that personal development is a priority here. All of this made the decision to apply for the Vacation Scheme through their internal route an easy one.

Guidance and support on my journey

In the lead-up to the programme, I really valued the support and guidance I received from everyone in my team. It was clear that they genuinely wanted me to succeed, as they took time out of their day to meet with me and share tips and tricks that provided me with the tools I needed. The Early Careers team was also incredibly helpful, promptly answering any questions I had about the week ahead. This level of support made me feel confident and prepared going into the programme, knowing that I had a strong foundation to build on. Despite feeling very nervous about applying, I learned that this can be a positive sign - it often means you're about to do something worthwhile.

I was so pleased when I was offered a place on the Vacation Scheme – it was a really positive application experience and refreshing to work at a firm that focuses on nurturing internal talent as well as attracting external candidates.

A rewarding week on the Vacation Scheme

During the scheme I was placed with the Commercial Litigation team which reaffirmed what I had already experienced in my Paralegal role with the Banking team - the firm’s culture of being refreshingly human.

Despite their busy schedules, the team made a genuine effort to welcome me and ensure all my questions were answered. I was able to take on meaningful work, like drafting a document to help the team meet future court deadlines. It was exciting to contribute to live matters and work on something that was important to the team’s progress in a case. The work itself was also a refreshing change of pace - moving from the fast-paced environment of the Banking team, where we handle multiple deals, to the intense focus on a few key cases in the Commercial Litigation department.

The highlight of my week were the sector lunches where I had the chance to hear various partners share their perspectives on the firm's culture and future direction. Even though I was already familiar with the firm, these insights were incredibly valuable and helped me gain a deeper understanding of how a law firm operates and what it takes to stand out in such a competitive market.

The experience was both challenging and rewarding, and it deepened my appreciation for the firm's approach to client work and team collaboration. It also gave me valuable insights into both my personal growth and the professional skills needed to succeed in my career.

Excited for the next chapter

I'm really looking forward to starting my Training Contract with the firm in 2025 and ultimately qualifying as a solicitor. I'm proud of my achievement and that I'm getting closer to my dream of being a lawyer – it's been hard work but hugely worthwhile. I’m excited about taking on more responsibility when I start the training and getting the chance to experience the different teams during my seats. The Vacation Scheme has given me a real taste of what being a trainee will be like and helped me with the confidence and insight to pursue my ambitions at Foot Anstey.

In the meantime, I’m still with the firm, working as a Banking Paralegal. I’m focused on continuing to expand my legal knowledge and making sure I’m using all the resources available to become the best trainee possible.

Find out more about our Vacation Schemes.