“Despite being told it would take 15 to 20 years to make partner, I did it in five” Dee Kundi, CEO and Founder, Find Me a Solicitor

My parents were clear that I needed to pursue a professional career; doctor, accountant, or lawyer. There was a running joke that if I didn’t choose one of these paths, I’d be shipped off to get married. I was opinionated and loved debating, so law seemed like the perfect fit. From then on, I had a clear plan for my GCSEs, A-levels, degree and beyond.

However, the path to becoming a solicitor wasn’t easy. It’s a very competitive field, and as a woman of colour in a predominantly white, male profession I knew I had to try five times harder than everyone else. I applied to hundreds of firms for a training contract, even sending out CVs on scented and coloured paper to stand out.

I learned not to listen to those who said I couldn’t do it and despite being told it would take 15 to 20 years to make partner, I did it in five. Integrity and hard work were my guiding principles and networking was key. While working as a paralegal and searching for a training contract, I joined various organisations and volunteered for board member roles. This helped me build a client portfolio early on, leading to my role as Head of Legal within three years of qualifying. Two years later, I became a partner in a national law firm. I often found myself the youngest and only diverse woman in the room at partner strategy conferences, which was intimidating. But grabbing opportunities and being confident in my abilities helped me succeed.

To be successful in law, it’s crucial to ask yourself, “What makes you different?” It’s not enough to just know the law. You need to understand your clients, their goals and their business. This requires strong business acumen. Becoming a Non-Executive Director is a fantastic opportunity to learn about different businesses or charities and enhance your own skills. Many lawyers are risk-averse, but clients value confident, decisive opinions.

In terms of equality and diversity, the legal profession is evolving, but while more women are becoming partners and entering the profession, there’s still a pay gap and lingering sexism. Earlier in my career the expectation of long working hours and constant client engagement was taxing and, whilst it was fun at times, it was also continuously hard work. Thankfully, post-COVID, firms are more appreciative of work-life balance, offering remote work options and respecting lives outside of work. This is good for everyone, but particularly for people with young families.

Being a lawyer requires more than legal knowledge. It’s about building relationships, seizing opportunities, and constantly striving to make a difference. For young women aspiring to enter the legal profession, integrity, hard work, and confidence are your greatest assets.

During COVID, I received many requests for legal advice outside my practice area, and it was a time for reflection. I realised I could help people on a much larger scale, which led to the creation of “Find Me a Solicitor”. It is a unique legal tech concept which helps all individuals and businesses find the right type of solicitor for all their personal and/or business legal needs. My motivation isn’t monetary as we are a free legal service offering 30 min free consultation. I wanted to make a difference, and it’s been a success from the start.

Networking has been a crucial part of my career journey and joining the IoD was a natural progression. I’d known about the IoD throughout my career, and I appreciated its focus on professional networking and the prestige it offered. I love and enjoy my role as Regional Vice Chair for IoD Central, and I aim to deliver more value to our members. The IoD is more than just events, it’s a vital source of information and a platform for professional growth with its many professional development courses.