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From Feeling Like An Outsider To Finding My Place In the Legal world
By Aleksandrina Dumanova
If you were to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, the last thing you would have heard me say, was “a lawyer”.
The reason I became interested in the Law and later decided to pursue a career at the Bar of England and Wales is Harper Lee. As cliché as it may sound, reading To Kill a Mockingbird genuinely changed the direction of my life. It was the first time I had ever thought seriously about injustice, about fairness, and about how the law can sometimes fail the very people it is meant to protect.
At the age of thirteen, I did not think about becoming a lawyer. I just knew that what I was reading made me angry, uncomfortable and deeply aware of how unequal the world can be. Looking back, that was the starting point of everything.
Why Law?
Whenever someone asks me why I chose law, I usually ask whether they want the long or the short answer. For me, it is not a simple question.
I grew up in a small provincial town called Petrich in the South-Western part of a post-communist country - Bulgaria. I mention this because opportunities for personal and professional growth were limited, and from a young age, I knew that one day I would leave. My dream at the time had nothing to do with law. I wanted to be a Fashion Designer.
Everything changed after I moved to London to live with my father. As the only English speaker in our household, I naturally became the person responsible for dealing with institutions such as the Council, HMRC and the Home Office. I was often explaining letters, making phone calls and trying to solve problems for my family. Without realising it, I was learning how inaccessible systems can be, and how important it is to have someone who can speak up for you.
At school and later at University, I often found myself in the middle of disputes, trying to help people communicate or reach some form of understanding. I still remember my Head of Year telling me that I should seriously consider studying law. He said there was something in me that every lawyer should have. When I asked him what he meant, he simply said that I cared.
That stayed with me.
What I enjoy about the Law is not just the rules, but the thinking behind them. I am not only drawn to the structure and stability that the law provides, but also to its grey areas. I find it interesting when morals clash with written law, when what feels right is not always what the law says. I like that the answer is often “it depends”, and that being confident one moment does not mean you will not be challenged the next.
Law constantly pushes you to think again, read more and accept that you might be wrong. That process is what keeps me interested.
My Journey So Far
I completed my LLB at the University of Westminster. Starting my law degree was a big step for me, and at times it was difficult. I often felt like an outsider, something I know many aspiring female legal professionals can relate to.
From the beginning, I wanted to make the most of my time at university. Alongside my studies, I was involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities; I served as a Course Representative, Student Ambassador and Newsletter Editor for the Law School. Each role helped build my confidence, improve my communication skills and learn how to represent others responsibly.
Additionally, I also volunteered as a Student Adviser at the University of Westminster Legal Advice Clinic, where I worked with clients on Immigration matters, conducted interviews and assisted with drafting legal documents. This experience was incredibly important to me because it reminded me that that the law is not just academic, but deeply personal. I was proud to receive a Volunteer Award from the Clinic for my work there.
Throughout my degree, I was also awarded the Westminster Employability Award at every level, culminating in Platinum. These awards recognised not just achievement, but consistent effort and professional development over time. Alongside my academic and professional accomplishments, I was selected for a remote internship with Think Pacific, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) working in partnership with the Fijian Government. As an intern, I worked on a project plan focused on the development of the business and mental health sectors in the Fijian Islands, to create more opportunities for the local youth. Through this experience, I developed strong organisational and time management skills, particularly in navigating the challenges of coordinating across different time zones. Ultimately, this opportunity strengthened my ability to work effectively in multicultural environments and adapt to remote collaboration, while solidifying my commitment to the pursuit of a legal career with social impact.
Alongside all of this, I worked part-time for most of my LLB to support myself financially. Balancing work, studies, and extracurricular commitments was not easy, but it taught me discipline, resilience and how to manage pressure.
These are skills I know will be essential at the Bar.
Working while studying law, gave me a fist-hand understanding of responsibility, pressure and perseverance beyond university.
I began working at the Post Office as a Postal Clerk and was later promoted to Supervisor. In a fast-paced and highly detail-oriented environment, I handled sensitive personal and financial information, processed transactions and managed daily sales performance. The role demanded accuracy, confidentiality and clear communication, qualities that closely reflect the trust placed in legal professionals. What I really liked about my job was the constant interaction with people from ‘all walks of life’. Being the chatterbox I am, allowed me to build rapport with customers and observe how the Law and the legal system affect individuals in very real and personal ways.
Even though I really liked and enjoyed my job at the Post Office, I decided to leave and travel around Europe. Putting on the shoes of Willy Fog led me to visit some of the southern borders of Europe, including Greece, Italy and Spain. My culturally enriching holiday left my pockets grasping for air. To save my pockets from dying, I decided to explore the area of hospitality by working as a Receptionist at a lovely Italian restaurant, where I was later promoted to a Head Receptionist. When I tell you how much I loved my job, you wouldn’t believe it. Imagine - being paid to simply talk to people, make sure they are happy and well-taken care of, and most importantly, having the freedom to be as humorous as possible and make everyone laugh and smile. On a more professional note, I oversaw the smooth operation of the reception desk in a busy and high-volume environment. Managing complex bookings and handling escalated enquiries reinforced my interest in a career at the Bar.
Academically, I explored a wide range of subjects, including Human Rights, Intellectual Property and Commercial Law. While I initially thought I would specialise in Criminal Law, I gradually developed a strong interest in Commercial and Intellectual Property Law. I enjoy the analytical nature of this work and its relevance in an increasingly interconnected world. In the long term, I hope to build a mixed practice, mainly focused on commercial work, while remaining connected to Public and International Law.
Taking a Step Back to Move Forward
My interest in Human Rights and Global Justice led me to help establish a Model United Nations Society during my undergraduate studies. This experience sparked a strong interest in Diplomacy, International Relations and global decision-making. During this time, I not only collaborated with fellow students to facilitate public speaking opportunities for other law students to participate in simulations of United Nations(UN) conferences, but I was also selected for the role of Director General for the Westminster Model UN Conference 2024. Being a part of Westminster’s Model UN society exposed me to the importance of having an awareness of global matters, such as, the prevention of the proliferation of weapons, eradication of rural poverty amongst others.
As a result, I decided to postpone commencement of the Bar Course and instead pursue a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy. I consider myself a citizen of the world, and strongly believe that diplomacy and well-maintained international relations are crucial for global stability and the maintenance of a peaceful international environment.
My postgraduate studies have allowed me to explore and engage critically with issues such as Corruption, Organised Crime and White-Collar crime. My dissertation analysed the relationship between corruption and organised crime in Bulgarian politics across different political regimes. This research required careful handling of sensitive topics and challenged me to think critically about power, accountability and governance. I was happy to have had the opportunity to self-study and compare a variety of theoretical approaches to Corruption, Organised Crime and White-Collar Crime, as well as applying my knowledge to my selected case study of Bulgarian Politics during its Communist, Post-Communist, and Europeanisation eras.
Stepping outside the Law for a short time gave me perspective. It strengthened my understanding of how legal systems interact with Politics, Economics and International Relations, and it has made me feel more prepared and confident about returning to Legal Training.
The Plan
I am currently preparing to commence the Bar Course and actively applying for mini-pupillages, as well as seeking legal roles that will enable me to gain further practical experience and develop my Advocacy skills. I am particularly interested in opportunities that align with my long-term goal of practising at the Bar, especially within a commercial and mixed practice setting.
Alongside this, I serve as Director for External Relations at ELSA UK. Through this role, I work closely with legal professionals, law firms and other organisations, which has given me valuable insight into the profession and the importance of building strong professional relationships.
Additionally, I volunteer with StopWatch, an organisation that challenges police misconduct and misuse of power. In this role, I have helped initiate the creation of a social media platform to raise awareness of the organisation’s work and reach more people who may need support or information.
I am realistic about the challenges of pursuing a career at the Bar. It is competitive, demanding and often uncertain. However, I am confident that every part of my journey so far; from working alongside my studies to volunteering and stepping outside the law to gain a broader perspective, has helped prepare me for what lies ahead.
I look forward to starting the Bar Course, continuing to develop as an advocate and, in time, securing pupillage at a set of chambers that reflects my values and ambitions.
Aleksandrina Dumanova
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandrina-d-557a49222/