Aryan Wali

• Consistently achieving service and sales targets. Passed my sales target by 68% in September 2025 through upselling and providing clients with a bespoke service.
• Maintained constant collaboration with my team for handling customer inquiries and complaints. This is important as solicitors must effectively communicate ideas within teams to create solutions for clients and their issues.
• Built and maintained trusting relationships with high-net-worth clients through attentive, tailored service - reflecting the client care and interpersonal sensitivity required in legal practice.

• Built my interpersonal skills and communication through training a diverse set of clients. As some concepts are difficult to explain, I am required to elaborate feedback in a clear and simplified way. This can be quite challenging as I work with clients as young as six to seniors in their sixties, in addition to individuals who come from foreign backgrounds or speak English as a second language.
• To overcome this, I use my emotional intelligence to recognise and tailor my communication to each client’s needs, ensuring they also feel safe to ask questions. As a solicitor apprentice, this mirrors how I will build trusting relationships with diverse teams and clients, while expressing my coachable mindset and asking for feedback when needed from supervisors.
• Utilised AI to assist with building training plans that are specifically tailored to a client's physical goals, injuries, and fitness level. Additionally used AI to research market trends within my area and edit social media content for building a competitive brand - this increased consultations and bookings by 70% in the following 4 months. I plan to use AI just as effectively as a solicitor apprentice to become a 'modern' lawyer with a technologically adept skill set.

• -Accepted onto this pre-apprenticeship programme that refined my skill set for the corporate environment. This includes workshops ran by major firms such as King & Spalding, HSF Kramer, CMS. I did a range of presentations, public speaking, and team challenges that mimic the skills necessary to thrive in an apprenticeship. I also improved my commercial awareness through having discussions with firm partners from a range of different backgrounds, for example Nick May - Derivatives Partner at HSF Kramer.
• -Finished the programme with a mock trial case, judged by HH Judge Peter Lodder, in one of the historic courtrooms at the Old Bailey. Our jury was made up of multiple barristers & solicitors, solicitor apprenticeship advocates, and even law firm senior partners who volunteered their time. This experience challenged my ability to work within a team to prepare and argue a complex case as the prosecution, while pushing me personally to think on the spot and build arguments out of facts as I cross-examined witnesses. We successfully achieved a 'Guilty' verdict which testifies to how effectively we examined each witness and worked together to build an effective questioning list.

• -Took on a negotiation exercise hosted by HSF Kramer's Early Careers Team where our cohort were split into 2 groups over the sale of a fictitious land. My group was representing a real estate developer as the buyer, with the other team representing the seller, an overdemanding lottery millionaire.
• -We negotiated terms and reached an agreement that was mutually fair, which showcased our ability to communicate on behalf of our clients. I personally contributed by introducing an indemnity that assured the land quality was up to check, and compensated us if any faults were found. I transferred what I knew about indemnities from reading a LittleLaw newsletter going over components of a contract, and was praised for knowing how to apply it properly.
• -We negotiated a fair deal where both our client and the other party's client were happy, and I successfully utilised my commercial awareness and communication to contribute effectively.

• -Acted as a Legal Advisor for Kroll in 2 simulation exercises. The first scenario involved a VP who laundered 100k to Vietnam for illegal contracts. The second scenario was that our firm was struck by a cyber-attack with client information being held ransom by hackers.
• -Focused on building a strategy with my team for investigating the issue, mapping out internal communications for shareholders and staff, and suppressing a PR disaster when journalists wanted to report on the issue.
• -Built a solution and tested my professional communication by briefing our makeshift CEO, former Kirkland & Ellis lawyer Brent Tomlinson, who asked tough questions that made the situation feel like a real boardroom crisis. This fantastic experience taught me about how firms operate following a dilemma and how to work within a team to build a solution that balances all client and operational risks.

• Learned how Stocks and Capital Markets operate through being mentored by Huw Gronow, Head of Dealing. This helped me understand what the role of a commercial solicitor is in helping companies prepare for listing on stock exchanges and launch an IPO.
• Used the 'Aladdin' AI engine to analyse risks before executing a trade in a simulation market. I learned how to prompt correctly to get accurate results, as well as how to research recent industry trends to ensure my trade is the best action to take.
• Researched historical financial events such as the 2008 market crash, 1973 oil crisis, among other events and built a presentation about them. Utilised my analytical ability in my research to detail the presentation informatively, and elaborated on the legal and financial repercussions of each event. I was praised by the audience for explaining difficult situations in a simplified and accessible way.

• Participated in a series of professional skills workshops pulling me out of my comfort zone, such as Public Speaking, Communication, and Presentation skills workshops. These were designed to enhance my soft skills in preparation for entering the corporate environment.
• Completed a Public Speaking exercise in front of 150 people for 7 minutes. I initially had never taken on such a strenuous and challenging task before, but I practised thoroughly and researched my presented topic in detail to build my confidence.
• Led a team in a presentation exercise with the topic of 'History of ESG in Finance through the ages', winning the awards for 'Best Presentation' and 'Collaboration' in competition with 15 other teams. My team and I had weekly meetings to prepare, and collaborated effectively to ensure all areas of our presentation were at the best quality. I personally contributed by managing team deadlines and allocating roles based on our backgrounds, for example I suggested a team member with a Geography background covered the 'environmental' focus of the presentation.

• Improved my commercial acumen through being mentored by Legal Vice President Radostina Kostova, who taught me how banks and law firms operate as businesses - critical to understand as a solicitor apprentice.
• Represented BNY in a simulated negotiation exercise with a fictitious client. Built strong rapport through effectively discussing our common interests, successfully negotiating fair terms that secured a long-term relationship. Practised my professional communication and adaptability as I adjusted my terms when new information would come to light, while ensuring commercial goals were met.
• Presented for 15 minutes to AI Investment Team about the impact of Artificial Intelligence and its potential on Legal industry. My slides on various AI engines, such as Harvey and Legora, were praised for its detail and clear explanation for how investing in it aligns with BNY's interests.

-Assisted in drafting and reviewing basic legal documents, including contracts, briefs, and correspondence letters. This improved my comprehension of the nature of admin work, particularly in the legal field.

-Sat within the business services department. I learned about the compliance requirements involved in onboarding clients of a law firm, such as Know-Your-Customer and Proof-of-Funds criteria. This taught me that the law firm operations extend beyond the work of its solicitors and paralegals, improving my understanding of how they run as businesses.

• After a strenuous interview process, I was one of 15 students out of my sixth form chosen to represent at Model United Nations in New York City, where 600 schools from around the globe were invited to attend. My allocated topic was International and Nuclear Security and my allocated country was Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation.
• While initially struggling with the volume of information and fast-paced environment, I adapted by proactively observing experienced delegates and building ties with them. This helped me to ask clarifying questions to keep up with procedure, and seek advice in preparation for each task and committee discussion.
• Through negotiating effectively and honing my public speaking skills, I spearheaded the leading resolution in my committee and secured 85% of the signatories, which ultimately meant my resolution was voted into effect.
• My efforts earned me the Award of Merit presented at the UN General Assembly building in Manhattan. I was a student from 1 of 20 schools out of 600 who won the award, which also guaranteed an invitation for our school to next year's Model United Nations.
• This experience refined my adaptability to unfamiliar environments which is a critical skill to have for a solicitor apprentice who will rotate seats across complex areas of law. Additionally, working with people from various countries and backgrounds improved my cultural sensitivity and communication. I will carry these skills as I work with diverse teams and clients where I may need to alter my communication style to my audience.

• Selected to intern within the Legal Underwriting team at a multi-billion-pound insurance management agency, gaining exposure to the structuring of transactional risk solutions for valuable time-sensitive deals, which strengthened my understanding of how legal analysis directly influences commercial decision-making.
• Maintained sharp focus and analytical ability when assessing large amounts of information and accurately striking a balance between risk and caution. This transferable skill is vital as a solicitor.
• Commended for analysing the FCA’s expanded AML enforcement powers and identifying that the Suspicious Activity Report Deadline had been reduced from 7 days to 24 hours. I translated this change into an advisory memo for the lead underwriter on a live matter, which was used to inform the final risk assessment and premium pricing decision.

• Following competitive written applications, I was invited to Solicitor Apprenticeship Open Days at firms such as Linklaters, Stephenson Harwood, HFW, Reed Smith, and Simmons & Simmons. For HFW, I was 1 of 8 students invited to attend their Open Day out of 40+ applicants. These events taught me more about the structure of a solicitor apprenticeship programme and its demands, while clarifying any questions I had.
• At Simmons & Simmons, I participated in a workshop led by a senior corporate associate that presented to us on ‘The Lifecycle of an M&A Deal’, and an apprentice’s role within the team. I was fascinated to learn the 7 stages of a deal from start to finish, and asked questions to the associate about the most challenging stages to cement my understanding.
• I was invited to Linklaters’ Discovery Day where I engaged with associates and partners across multiple practice areas, including Energy and Financial Regulation. I met Linklaters’ managing partner, Paul Lewis, who personally explained to me how firms differentiate themselves within the market, as well as Idin Sabahipour who provided me with incredible resources for improving my commercial awareness.
• Spoken to multiple apprentices, trainees, and partners across the firms to understand day-to-day junior responsibilities. This includes how to manage workload and contribute effectively, as well as how I can demonstrate to my seniors that I am reliable and can take on higher responsibilities.
• Engaged with representatives from training providers, including the University of Law and BPP, to understand how study is integrated with practical work and how to manage both demands of an apprenticeship. This affirmed that the solicitor apprenticeship aligns with my learning style and long-term development.