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This is the final instalment in our series of interviews with three outstanding barristers—Mequissa Magloire, Rebecca Brookes, and Sima Khan of Ropewalk Chambers. In this edition, we explore their perspectives on the future of the legal profession and the varied pathways into law. We hope these conversations will inspire aspiring barristers and illuminate the many routes to a career at the Bar.
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❖ What advice would you give to someone considering a legal career who may not see themselves reflected in the traditional image of the profession?
Putting aside all that the Bar could (and should) do to improve diversity, my advice would be to focus less on waiting to see yourself reflected and just be the reflection. The profession only changes when people who don’t fit the mould show up as themselves anyway. It can feel lonely at first, especially when you walk into rooms where no one looks or sounds like you but embrace those differences; they make you memorable, they deepen your empathy, and they give you a perspective that no one else can replicate.
Practically, I would also say find your people early. Mentorship, community, and genuine support is necessary to survive this new world. There are organisations out there that truly value diversity and inclusion and programmes that connect minoritised people with barristers.
❖ What does being part of the legal profession mean to you personally, and how has that meaning evolved since you began your journey?
When I first started, I saw the legal profession as a symbol of intellect and prestige, a place for people who could effectively argue, persuade, and solve complex problems. Over time, that meaning has shifted because my relationship with the profession has evolved in ways I didn’t anticipate.
In Barbados, women who look and sound like me are everywhere in government, in the courts, and in leadership. It is normal to see Black women at the helm of things. Coming to the UK was a stark contrast; what felt ordinary at home suddenly became exceptional. My accent, my culture, and my very presence marked me out as different, but being at the Bar has given me a way to make that difference visible in a positive sense.
Over the years, I’ve seen how my presence here has resonated with others. I’ve had students from Barbados reach out to say that my story made them believe they could do it, and I have seen Black women who reached out to me and who I mentored actually achieve their dreams and obtain pupillage. Being part of this profession is no longer just about my personal achievement; it is about showing that there is space for us here, and that our voices enrich the profession.
The intellect, the advocacy, and the pursuit of excellence are still important, but this job is now (also) about visibility, empowerment, and opening doors for those who will come after me.
❖ If you could change one thing about the early stages of entering the profession, what would it be and why?
I would change how isolating those early stages can feel, especially for people without built-in networks or financial safety nets. The profession sometimes assumes that everyone knows the unwritten rules, e.g. how to get mini-pupillages, what to say in interviews, or how to navigate chambers’ culture. But for many of us, that knowledge isn’t inherited.
I think more structured guidance and transparency could make a real difference. Things like clear mentoring schemes, affordable routes to the profession, and honest conversations about diversity and wellbeing would level the playing field. The talent is there but I think it’s access and support that need improving.
❖ Looking ahead, what are your hopes for your future in law - and how do you hope to contribute to the profession or wider community?
Looking ahead, I want to build a long, sustainable career at the Bar rooted in excellence, empathy, and authenticity. I hope to continue developing a strong personal injury, inquests and clinical negligence practice with a focus on excellent oral advocacy while also contributing to the profession through mentorship, writing, and public legal education.
More broadly, I want to be part of reshaping what the Bar looks and feels like. I think representation matters, but inclusion matters even more. That’s one of the reasons I volunteer as a mentor with Bridging the Bar and the IFBM Mentorship Programme, which connect minoritised groups and immigrants respectively with practising barristers. I hope to help expand that work and expect to stay involved for many years to come.
Beyond law, I also want to continue giving back through advocacy around disability, anti-racism, and access to justice. Those are causes that reflect not only my values but the realities I’ve lived and they continue to shape the kind of person I strive to be.
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❖ What advice would you give to someone considering a legal career who may not see themselves reflected in the traditional image of the profession?
If you are considering a legal career but feel like you don’t fit the traditional image of a lawyer- my advice - Don’t let that stop you!
The legal profession needs people from diverse backgrounds with unique experiences. I would advise you to reach out to people already in the profession because there are many of us with unusual journeys into law. And, the very qualities and experiences that make you feel like an outsider could be your greatest strengths!
❖ What does being part of the legal profession mean to you personally, and how has that meaning evolved since you began your journey?
Being a barrister is what I wanted to do when I was eleven. If I pause and reflect on that, there’s a nostalgic thrill that comes from finding yourself in a place of your childhood imaginings (cue dramatic courtroom scenes!). Day-to-day, I’m afraid it’s not quite so romantic; it’s hard work and can be relentless, but it’s still important.
Its importance, or perhaps consequence is a better word, is something that I hope not to become complacent about. It is a privileged position to understand the law and how it works. It really matters to a person who unexpectedly finds themselves in court - wronged or accused of a wrong. For that person, at that time, the law and legal procedure can seem like a vast, unnavigable landscape. We are there to guide them through it. So, what it means to me? It means giving care and attention to every case- from a low value RTA to a £1.5 million debt claim.
❖ If you could change one thing about the early stages of entering the profession, what would it be and why?
If I could change one thing, it would be the way we prepare students for the realities of legal practice, especially for those who don’t come from traditionally represented backgrounds. Entry into law is incredibly competitive and I know it can feel inaccessible to those without the right networks. I felt like an outsider until I built those relationships.
There’s a huge focus on academic readiness at law school, which is understandable, but there’s still far too little emphasis on mentoring, professional networking, and emotional resilience. It’s incredibly difficult to imagine what practice is like from the academic study of law; so, getting to know people inside the legal profession or doing work experience and mini pupillages is invaluable.
Even as a qualified lawyer, mentorship is incredibly important. I have an official career mentor through my Inn of Court, and an unofficial mentor for my commercial and property work. Both busy silks willing give up their time for which I’m grateful. But that’s not everyone’s experience. Embedding that professional networking and support at an early stage would be beneficial.
❖ Looking ahead, what are your hopes for your future in law - and how do you hope to contribute to the profession or wider community?
Each day brings something new as a junior barrister. Developing my practice is the focus right now, naturally I want to see that continue to grow; and to do that in the Ropewalk tradition of quality and dedication to every case (see my little plug there!).
As for contributing to the profession in a broader sense. I hope to be able to, in my own small way, make the legal profession more inclusive and supportive - paying forward the guidance and support that I’ve received – holding the door open for people from non-traditional backgrounds.
The wider community? – Gosh! I do think about the bigger picture in my capacity as a trustee of a small legal advice charity. I have seen, in a very raw way, how crucial access to legal advice is. It is often the difference between justice and injustice. So, if I could, in the future, leverage my skills and knowledge to push for better access to legal services, that would be the big socio-political ambition. Watch this space!
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❖ What advice would you give to someone considering a legal career who may not see themselves reflected in the traditional image of the profession?
I think the key for me has been to remember that how the image looks or is reflected, has no bearing on the skillset required for a career in law. I have struggled to see myself reflected in the traditional image of the profession. For example, there are not many female barristers of Afghan background. I know that as late as 2013 was the year in which the first Afghan woman was called to the Bar. I drew inspiration from her. There is always someone that you can reflect yourself in and it may not always be in the ‘traditional image’ but perhaps someone who has paved their own way. My advice would be to try to focus less on reflecting the ‘traditional image’ and look to make connections with those within the profession that inspire you. That is not always necessarily someone of similar background to you, it could well be someone you share a hobby with or someone that has children the same age as you.
❖ What does being part of the legal profession mean to you personally, and how has that meaning evolved since you began your journey?
There was a time, after I had set my mind on becoming a barrister, where it was all consuming. I dedicated a lot of time and effort to this journey. Likewise, in hindsight I also sacrificed a lot of things to be where I am professionally, as has everyone in their journey. Since becoming a mother my perspective has changed; my professional life is not all consuming but still a priority. I take great pride in my work and I thoroughly enjoy it but I have realised there is a lot more to me than being a legal professional. Learning to embrace that was difficult but needed. It has overall made me better in my work because I am more focused and less burnt out. I am a lot more balanced in my approach now than I was a couple of years ago. That does not mean the ambition fades but I am learning to allow myself to evolve within my profession organically and to actually take a moment to enjoy how far I have come.
❖ If you could change one thing about the early stages of entering the profession, what would it be and why?
I wish I had been more pro-active in joining more schemes and initiatives which were not law related. I was afraid of taking my eye of the ball in the early stages and wanted to ‘prove’ my commitment to the profession. However, in hindsight, I think doing different things which do not necessarily have to relate directly to the legal profession can sometimes be a great addition to your experience and development, both personally and professionally.
❖ Looking ahead, what are your hopes for your future in law - and how do you hope to contribute to the profession or wider community?
I think I worked hard to get here and would like to simply enjoy it and take it in before focusing on the next step. However, for the longer term, I hope to build a stable practice and have long standing professional connections with clients. It would be amazing to develop a niche but in all honesty, I am at the early stage of my career and find it enjoyable to explore different areas of law. As for contributions to the profession and wider community, I hope that I am able to contribute and would certainly like to. I hope that I can participate in some of the similar schemes that I took part in when pursuing the Bar and essentially give back because I think a lot of those schemes and initiatives are reliant upon those who have joined the profession being willing to give back of their time and advice to those that are wanting to join the profession.
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