We’re pleased to welcome Phillip Nicholl to the Tree Law team. His route to qualifying as a solicitor hasn’t followed the traditional path, and he shares a behind-the-scenes look at his journey below.
From Karate Mats to Courtrooms: My Decade‑Long Journey to Becoming a Solicitor
When people talk about becoming a solicitor, they often imagine a straight path: A‑levels, law degree, LPC, training contract, qualification.
My route, however, looked nothing like that.
Mine was a story shaped by early-morning shifts at Tesco, world‑championship karate medals, the sting of a disastrous interview, years of hands‑on legal experience, and an unwavering determination to reach a goal that often felt far away.
Today, as I am beginning a brand‑new chapter as an Associate Solicitor at Tree Law, I can finally look back on the road I took — with its twists, setbacks, and unexpected victories — and appreciate every step.
This is my journey.
A‑Levels and a Gap Year That Changed Everything (2011–2012)
I finished my A‑levels in June 2011, whilst working part-time at a local hotel kitchen (mostly on weekends and in the evenings), I chose to take a year out of academics to work an earn money.
After a year of working as a Comis chef, I treated myself to a two‑week tour of Italy — the perfect reset before the next chapter of my life began.
Finding Law — and a Fighting Spirit — at Swansea University (2012–2015)
In September 2012, I started my LLB at Swansea University. I was quickly drawn to litigation and criminal law, the areas that felt most dynamic and alive.
But law wasn’t the only thing shaping my time at Swansea.
🎓 I was awarded a sports scholarship for karate,
I was training intensely while competing internationally every year. And during this period came some achievements I’ll never forget:
- 2013 British Championship (Under 21) – Gold medal in individual sparring
- 🥉 2013 World Championships (Under 21) — Bronze medal in team sparring for Wales
- 🥋 2013 — 9th place in individual sparring
- 2014 – Winning Sportsman of the year for Swansea University
Balancing a law degree with competition was tough, but karate gave me discipline, focus, and resilience — qualities that have carried me through the hardest moments of my legal journey.
I graduated in 2015 with a clear sense of who I was and what I wanted.
The LPC: Learning the Practicalities (2015–2016)
I completed the LPC between September 2015 and August 2016, funded through a postgraduate career development loan.
To stay afloat, I worked at Tesco and a local pub throughout the course — sometimes finishing late shifts only to wake up for early‑morning lectures (or karate training).
It was exhausting.
It was relentless.
But it strengthened me.
Working, Surviving — and a Humbling Interview (2016–2017)
After completing the LPC, I worked at Tesco and then BVG Group from August 2016 to April 2017 to keep up with loan repayments.
And then came a moment I’ll never forget.
❌ January 2017: The Interview Disaster
I had several interviews with national firms in Cardiff.
One of them went so badly that I knew — instantly — that I wouldn’t be joining that firm.
Embarrassing? Yes.
Character‑building? Absolutely.
It pushed me to refocus and keep going.
The Breakthrough: Joining Eversheds Sutherland (2017–2019)
Eventually, I received contact from a legal recruitment agency with an offer to interview for a law firm in Cardiff. I took the opportunity, travelled from Mid Wales to Cardiff and 10 minutes after the interview, I was offered the job on a 6-month, fixed term contract.
In April 2017 I joined Eversheds Sutherland as a Legal Assistant in the Mortgage Enforcement Unit hoping I would be made permanent.
For nearly two years, I learned the inner workings of property litigation at scale, building confidence in my communications and knowledge of the Court process.
Finding My Specialism: Financial Services, Disputes & Investigations (2019–2026)
In 2019, I moved into Eversheds Sutherland’s Financial Services, Disputes and Investigations (FSDI) team.
This was where I truly grew — personally and professionally.
I worked on complex matters, sharpened my litigation instincts, and continued my karate journey with more international success:
- 🥋 2017 World Championships (Over 21) — 9th place in individual sparring
- 🥉 2023 World Championships (Over 21) — Bronze medal in team sparring
Karate remained my hobby, Law became my craft.
As my career progressed, I was moved onto different cases and asked to help develop more junior members of the team. Eventually, I began attending client meetings and delivering internal and external training.
A Major Milestone: Becoming a Legal Executive (2024)
In 2024, after years of building my legal knowledge and experience, I submitted a detailed portfolio to CILEX showing the depth of my work and competence.
In December 2024, I was admitted as a Legal Executive — a massive personal milestone and proof that my unconventional, mostly self-funded route was paying off.
It only took 7 and a half years, a pandemic and a lot of encouragement from my colleagues (some of whom had undergone the same qualification route as myself).
Final Steps to Qualification (2025–2026)
In 2025, I self-funded and completed the Professional Skills Course, finishing all core modules by October. A telling off for badgering the poor trainee playing the witness I cross examined in a criminal litigation case aside, I enjoyed the course and really began to understand what I was working towards.
In January 2026, with all documents finally in hand and ready for the SRA, I submitted my application to join the Roll of Solicitors — the final formal step in a journey that had begun more than a decade earlier.
In March 2026, just as my start with Tree Law was impending, I received the news I had been waiting nearly 2 months for, my application was successful.
A New Chapter: Associate Solicitor at Tree Law (April 2026)
In April 2026, I joined Tree Law as an Associate Solicitor.
This role is a completely new challenge — one that excites me and pushes me outside my comfort zone (given there is much less certainty in the outcome of proceedings, than before).
This is an opportunity to learn new Law, to grow, to develop, and expand my skills.
And while the work may be new, the roots I’m carrying with me are strong:
✔ My foundation in litigation
✔ My years of hands‑on dispute experience
✔ My discipline and resilience from competitive karate
This is the next branch in my career — and I’m ready for it.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
If I could speak to my younger self, I’d say:
The path was never going to be straightforward, but it will be worthwhile. Don’t be scared of change or of taking opportunities when they come, hesitation, just like in competition, can cost a lot. You’ll have the support of those that want the best for you as well as the experience to overcome every setback. You will get there, just keep putting one foot in front of the other and the journey will reach its end!
I’m grateful to have successfully qualified and am raring to go in my new challenge!
