March 2 2026
Case Studies
sophie gould
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Sarita’s journey to becoming a Legal Counsel at National Grid is a powerful example of how the new qualification landscape is creating opportunities for top-tier talent. Her path, driven by a clear focus on commercial experience and a desire to be deeply embedded in a client’s business, highlights the efficacy of the Flex Trainee scheme and the SQE route.
The Non-Traditional Route: From Private Practice Aspirations to In-House Focus
Like many aspiring lawyers, Sarita initially pursued the traditional Training Contract route in private practice. However, after several assessment centre cycles, she recognised that this path was not aligned with her strengths or her ultimate career goals. She made a strategic pivot, choosing to prioritise gaining commercial experience within a company. This decision allowed her to be "on the ground" and learn from non-lawyers, appreciating the opportunity to be fully immersed in the client's world. This experience solidified her decision to pursue an in-house qualification, where she could work closely with the business and see projects through from start to finish.The Flex Trainee Advantage: A Structured Path to Qualification
Sarita was introduced to Flex Legal through STRIVE, a social mobility charity, and immediately found a sense of belonging within the Flex Trainee scheme. The program provided a structured and supportive environment, beginning with the three-week Readiness Programme, which prepared her for the demands of the workplace.The scheme’s structure was instrumental in her success. It provided comprehensive mentoring, coaching, and training, alongside diverse and progressive work opportunities. These included her initial placement at National Grid and a pivotal secondment to DLA Piper’s IP/Technology team. This blend of in-house and private practice exposure allowed her to compare the two environments and understand the requirements of both, ultimately shaping her career direction.
A Massive Achievement: Qualification and the Rising Star Nomination
Qualification was a profound personal and professional milestone for Sarita. As a first-generation university student and a second-generation immigrant, she is the first lawyer in her family, a massive achievement that has brought immense pride to her family. Successfully navigating the rigorous SQE 1 and 2 exams, which required great time management and discipline, lifted a massive weight and injected a huge amount of confidence.Her success has not gone unnoticed; Sarita is a nominee for the Next 100 Years: Women in Law Rising Star of the Year 2025 award. This recognition validates her capability and her place in the legal profession.
“Got to be true to yourself, and come to work to be your best self. Don’t apologise for being you.”
Sarita Patel, Legal Counsel at National Grid
Driving Innovation: Legal Counsel in Tech and AI
In her current role as Legal Counsel at National Grid, Sarita focuses on commercial law, with a specialism in the technology sector, including data protection, cyber security, IP, and the rapidly evolving field of AI. Her day-to-day work is varied and challenging, from reviewing R&D contracts to engaging in commercial conversations with engineers to understand complex projects. She is also actively involved in ramping up governance around AI procurement.The experience gained as a Flex Trainee was excellent preparation. She still applies the "5 W's" approach for contract review, a key takeaway from a session during the Readiness Programme. Her secondment to DLA Piper’s IP and Technology team was particularly influential, and she credits her experience leading the contract and negotiation phase for National Grid’s panel of 15 different law firms as a major confidence builder.
Sarita's Advice for Future Trainees: Be True to Yourself
Sarita’s advice for current Flex Trainees and aspiring lawyers is centered on proactivity and self-awareness:• Be Proactive: Communicate your needs to your supervisor, put meetings in the calendar, and be open about what you need to progress.
• Master the Exams: For SQE 1, focus on the multiple-choice question approach while solidifying your knowledge. For SQE 2, concentrate on using the skills and recalling the knowledge from SQE 1.
• Use Your Network: Take advantage of the support system, including Q&As with qualified trainees and group coaching sessions.
• Be True to Yourself: Her biggest learning from the programme is to "be true to yourself, and come to work to be your best self. Don’t apologise for being you."
Sarita’s journey demonstrates the monumental value of the Flex Trainee scheme to the legal industry, creating a pipeline of lawyers who are not only qualified but are already deeply immersed in the client’s business and ready to drive innovation.
Additional Resources:
- Hire now - want to take on some top quality interim legal professionals like Sarita? Check out our ‘hire’ page today to find the paralegals and lawyers you need to ease your team’s workload.
- How we've supported Emerald Publishing with interim lawyers - perhaps Sarita’s experiences have got you wondering what interim legal resourcing could do for your team? Take a look at this case study, where we break down how we supported Emerald Publishing with interim lawyers.
- Apply to be a Flex Paralegal - interested in what the world of interim paralegal work could look like for you? Well look no further! Click here to learn more and perhaps even apply.