In the first episode of our legal podcast, QWE + Me, we are joined by Amit Kapoor, a Consultant Solicitor Advocate at D&N Solicitors, and Sub-Consultant Solicitor at Nexa Law, interviewed by BARBRI’s Head of Employability and Engagement, Robert Dudley.
This episode focuses on Amit’s reflections, motivations and the question on many people’s minds: is it too late to switch careers and become a solicitor? Here’s a redacted version. Watch the full episode above or on YouTube.
Following an Unlikely Path to Qualification
Rob: Amit, thank you so much for joining us today on the QWE + ME with BARBRI podcast.
Amit: Thanks for having me here, Rob.
Rob: It’s a pleasure. And of course, congratulations – you’re now a qualified solicitor in London! Today, we really want to understand the journey you took, because it’s not the typical “law at 18, LPC at 23” kind of story. So maybe we begin at the beginning?
Amit: Sure, very happy to. I actually qualified as a graduate back in 2000 – nearly a quarter of a century ago now! And honestly, I didn’t have the aspiration of becoming a lawyer then. At that point, law wasn’t even on my radar.
The Moment When Everything Changed
Rob: So, when did the spark first appear?
Amit: It came about ten years later. I was involved in an employment incident that led me into tribunal proceedings. For the first time, I was inside that environment – not as a professional, but as someone affected by the legal process. Watching the judge and the solicitors work… it made a real impression on me.
Rob: In what way?
Amit: I was struck by the way they provided clarity and comfort. They weren’t just arguing cases; they were giving people light during a dispute. And I remember thinking, “I want to be that person – the one offering guidance when things feel complicated.” That’s when the aspiration started forming.
Rob: But you didn’t at once dive into retraining?
Amit: No, definitely not. I tried to reason myself out of it for a long time. I was in a stable career, and shifting into law felt almost unrealistic. But the thought never went away. It kept resurfacing, even as the years went by.
A New Path Opens with the SQE
Rob: And then the SQE arrived.
Amit: Exactly. Fast forward 11 years after that tribunal experience, I heard about the SQE. And that was the turning point. The traditional routes – the LPC and training contract – felt impossible for someone already well into their career. But the SQE offered something different. It provided a flexible, competency-based pathway that allowed me to study while working and use my diverse legal experience toward qualification.
Rob: It’s incredible how many people say the same thing – the SQE gave them permission to start again, without starting from scratch.
Amit: That’s exactly it. I decided I was going to do something about this long-held aspiration and finally let it become reality. With BARBRI’s support, the preparation became achievable. Their structure made it possible to balance my life, my job, and my goal.
A Message to Future Career-Changers
Rob: When you look back now, what would you say to someone in a similar position – someone who’s maybe 10 or 15 years into another career and wondering if it’s too late?
Amit: I’d say: it’s absolutely not too late. If the thought keeps coming back to you, there’s a reason. The SQE is designed for people like us – people who didn’t follow the traditional path, who bring real-world experience, who have grown personally and professionally before entering the legal field. If you want it, and you’re willing to put in the commitment, it’s possible.
Rob: Amit, your story is a brilliant example of the accessibility the SQE was created to bring into the profession. Thank you for sharing it with us today.
Amit: My pleasure, Rob.
If you’ve wondered whether it’s too late to become a solicitor, Amit’s story is a reminder that your timing is perfect if your determination is real. The SQE opens doors for those with ambition, resilience, and the courage to shift direction –—whether it’s 5, 10, or 20 years into a completely different profession.
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