NLJ PROFILE: Kishan Mangat, Tomorrow's Forum of Insurance Lawyers

What was your route into the profession?

After A-levels I completed a degree in English Literature at Goldsmiths College, University of London. Following that, I converted to law by completing the GDL and LPC at the College of Law before securing a training contract at the London office of an international dispute resolution firm. 

What has been your biggest career challenge so far?

Securing a training contract was a big challenge, due to the fierce competition and limited number available (as compared to graduates each year). I worked as a paralegal straight after completing the GDL as well as attending a pro bono law centre, the Waterloo Legal Advice Service. This allowed me to show my commitment to the law and hone my legal proficiency skills. I would highly recommend both to aspiring lawyers as you learn on the job and you expand your network.

Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?

There are quite a few names that spring to mind, such as Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Baroness Helena Kennedy, and Lady Justice Hale to name but a few. I remember I saw Shami Chakrabarti speak a few years ago about her experiences practising law as a woman from an ethnic minority background. She discussed some of the trials and tribulations as a woman trying to progress her career within the law and the lessons that she learnt. Her speech was incredibly powerful and inspiring. For a young female lawyer like myself it was also comforting to know that I was not alone and there were role models such as Shami who were forging the way for women like myself to develop a legal career with the same opportunities as a male counterpart. 

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?

I love cooking; I find it very therapeutic and I feel a great sense of reward when people enjoy the food that I have cooked. Therefore, I would definitely say if I was not a lawyer I would have loved to have trained to be a chef.

Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?

I am a big fan of the series The Good Wife and I would say that Diane Lockhart is my favourite character from the show. She is very smart, strong and graceful. Her witty retorts reveal an elegance which is great to watch.

What change would you make to the profession?

I  would want to see greater equality and diversity within the profession. I would say that this change is starting to take place, albeit at slower than desired pace. Some firms are now recruiting through a blind application process to avoid unconscious bias, thereby selecting candidates based purely on their merits and without knowledge of their gender, background or ethnicity. 

How do you relax?

A glass of wine and a good book. I am presently reading Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. It is definitely a thought provoking and powerful read.