I am Ukrainian and arrived in the United Kingdom in March 2023. Like many others who fled the war in Ukraine, I came under the UK government’s special visa scheme called Homes for Ukraine.
I believe that most immigrants, regardless of their immigration route, face a common challenge: starting life from scratch. We must rebuild our networks, earn trust within a new society, develop language skills, and seek employment. For me, this meant leaving behind years of cultivating personal and professional relationships and a strong reputation in Ukraine. All of that was left behind, and I had to begin anew.
My journey to rebuild a legal career
As a qualified advocate in Ukraine with substantial legal experience, I was confident in my ability to compete in the Ukrainian legal market. However, arriving here brought the challenge of proving my knowledge and skills’ relevance and value in a new jurisdiction.
My journey towards regaining my career path in the UK was marked by a series of serendipitous moments. My wife received a message from an acquaintance about a Ukrainian, Valentina Herrera, Senior Wealth Management Counsel at UBS, who was looking to support a Ukrainian lawyer in gaining work experience at UBS. Valentina kindly suggested I improve my language skills through the UBS and Renaisi Speaking Club.
During one of these club sessions, a participant mentioned that Renaisi had helped her find a job in the architecture sector. This inspired me to reach out to Rebecca Spruce, the former Transitions Projects Coordinator at Renaisi, who encouraged me to submit an application to Breaking Barriers.
It truly felt like fate or, perhaps, a remarkable chain of coincidences.
After connecting with Breaking Barriers, I was contacted by Sophie La’val, a former Employment and Integration Advisor. I explained that I had been searching for a job for five months without success, that I wanted to improve my language skills, and (without high expectations) asked whether Breaking Barriers might support foreign-qualified lawyers in pursuing qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales. To my surprise, I was invited to join the Breaking Barriers Speaking Club just a few days later. Sophie also shared information about open job opportunities with some partner organisations.
Of all the support Breaking Barriers provided, the most valuable opportunity for me was the fully funded course arranged in partnership with BARBRI and Linklaters. It included a preparation course for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1) and a funded place for the exam itself. I applied and was fortunate to be awarded one of the places. To further support my preparation, I was matched with a mentor, Emma De Koster, Managing Associate at Linklaters. During our one-to-one sessions, she generously shared her own experience of sitting the exam, helped me navigate complex aspects of the material, and reinforced my belief that with dedication and hard work, anything is achievable.
On 23 February 2022, I had my first court trial as a qualified advocate in Ukraine. I still remember delivering my closing speech - it was shaky and rushed due to nerves, but I won the case. However, the very next morning, life changed completely for me and for millions of Ukrainians when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine...
Oleksii
Making progress towards qualifying as a solicitor
In January 2025, I successfully passed the SQE1 exam, bringing me one step closer to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales.
To help you understand how meaningful this achievement is to me, I would like to share a bit of my personal story. On 23 February 2022, I had my first court trial as a qualified advocate in Ukraine. I still remember delivering my closing speech – it was shaky and rushed due to nerves, but I won the case. However, the very next morning, life changed completely for me and for millions of Ukrainians when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and left an indelible mark on an entire generation. Everything that had mattered just a day before suddenly felt meaningless, and the future became painfully uncertain.
When I arrived in the UK, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to work in litigation again, let alone pursue qualification as a solicitor. Now, it feels not only possible – it feels real. I am genuinely grateful for the support and encouragement I have received on this incredible journey.
I applied a few times for open job positions through Breaking Barriers’ partners, but I did not receive a positive response. However, I am currently working as a Paralegal at Atalaw Solicitors. Under the supervision of the Principal Solicitor, I manage legal cases from the initial client interview through all stages of the litigation process. My focus areas include Landlord and Tenant disputes, disrepair claims, debt recovery, and breach of contract matters. In practice, I assess cases, conduct legal research, and provide an opinion on the strengths and weaknesses of the client’s position. Once approved by my supervising solicitor, I communicate this advice to the client. Upon formal engagement, I prepare drafts of a wide range of key legal documents across both the Pre-Action and Civil Litigation stages.
The power of meaningful employment
For me, meaningful employment means work that aligns with personal beliefs, ethics, or passions. A human being has only one truly unrecoverable resource – time. We spend a significant part of our lives at work. It would be unforgivable, in relation to oneself, to spend part of one’s life on something that does not align with personal beliefs or on something that does not inspire growth, the drive to become better at your work and to become a better version of oneself.
Reflecting on my journey, I realise that no one can truly fail if they have friends. Anyone facing a life-changing experience needs support and encouragement. Breaking Barriers has provided much more than that, offering tailored support to meet my individual needs and goals. I sincerely appreciate their profound impact on my life.
Looking ahead, my main goal is to continue growing – both professionally and personally. I want to keep learning new skills, embrace challenges that push me forward, and contribute to something meaningful.
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