My journey to the Bar so far

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My journey into law began in 2017 when I moved to London. After living in Italy for 15 years and in the US for four, I came to London and embarked on a lifelong journey to become a lawyer.

Before starting university, I had a variety of work experience, from construction to hospitality. What I enjoyed about these roles was the problem-solving aspect. I wanted to use this skill to impact people’s lives directly. This is where my passion for fighting injustices came in. I wanted to become a criminal barrister to be the voice of vulnerable individuals and fearlessly advocate for their rights.

Find out which chambers offer mini-pupillages by using our Pupillage search.

In my first year of university, I began to comprehend how difficult becoming a barrister would be. I was surprised to see how competitive entering the law field was. I had no network of lawyers and no legal experience. I got rejected from mini-pupillages, not understanding how to structure a cover letter or write about my passions. This changed when I met my first mentor.

In my second year of university, I had the pleasure of meeting my first ever mentor, a criminal barrister at 25 Bedford Row. She was the first person who took an interest in me and explained why the criminal Bar is so unique – and most significantly, what I needed to do to get there. As a result of my mentoring sessions with her, I became very proactive and got involved in different extracurricular activities.

To learn about what a barrister does, read ‘What does life as a barrister involve?’

From marshalling to summer internships, I filled my schedule with activities my mentor said would aid me in pursuit of pupillage. I participated in pro bono and leadership programmes and gained some legal work experience.

In my final year of university, I focused on applying for mini pupillages and coming out with stellar academics. By this point, I had learned how to study efficiently and could do it well. All the hard work I had been putting in started to pay off, my grades had improved drastically, all because I had found that golden balance between work and academics.

Read this LCN Blog: ‘Flying with the Legal Eagle of the Old Bailey' for a detailed account of a mini-pupillage at 25 Bedford Chambers.

The year that changed everything

But then 2020 took a drastic turn. Like many other international students, I found myself unemployed, in a foreign country, without my usual support system and bills to pay. I applied to hundreds of jobs but I wasn’t always successful. It took a lot of resilience and perseverance on my part, but eventually my luck changed. Recruiters began to see my potential and passion for law and I landed several roles. Before I knew it, I was working as a legal assistant, a paralegal, and a bartender. I was doing everything in my power to learn as much as possible before starting the Bar course in 2021.

The year 2020 also shed light on the injustices around the world. From the death of George Floyd in the US to institutionalised racism in the UK, I knew more than ever I wanted to be part of the positive change our society needs. I became confident that working in the criminal justice system was the best way for me to do that.

Read this LCN Blog to find out about the impact of George Floyd: ‘George Floyd: a look at the legal profession one year on’.

In 2022 I unsuccessfully applied for pupillage. However, I look back at all the barriers I overcame and watch my passion for criminal justice only grow stronger. I’m now volunteering in a youth hub in Hackney and advocating for school children facing exclusion while concluding my LLM in pro bono on a housing matter. My mentors push me to undertake work experience where I can make a concrete difference on people’s lives.

Check out this criminal Barrister’s practice area profile.

My motivation comes from being surrounded by colleagues who are zealous of the impact their work has on people: it's truly inspirational. The journey in attaining pupillage continues. I know I’ll get there one day and advocate for those who cannot do so for themselves.

Sofia S. Gagliardi (she/her) is an aspiring criminal barrister. You can connect with her via LinkedIn.