Spotlight on our people – meet Adam Khattak 

Get to know the solicitors behind the expert legal advice here at Harper James with our Spotlight on our people interview series. In this edition, we sat down with Commercial Solicitor, Adam Khattak. Adam joined the team in September 2019 as a Legal Assistant. Since then, Adam has worked with us as a trainee solicitor before qualifying in July 2023 with our Commercial team. 

How did you begin your career? What inspired you? 

‘I hadn’t really considered a career in law until I was in sixth form,’ says Adam. ‘Growing up, law wasn’t really on my radar, and I didn’t know any lawyers or anyone working in the legal industry. My interest piqued during my A-Levels when I began studying philosophy. Reading theories about the interplay between society and governance sparked my interest in particular.’ 

Has working in the legal industry lived up to your expectations? 

‘From pop culture and stories at law school, it’s fair to say I anticipated a rigid hierarchy and long hours,’ Adam reflects. ‘I imagined a competitive and somewhat impersonal environment. However, my experience has been quite different, especially working at Harper James. We have an open culture that allows me easy access to colleagues at every level of the business which fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Similarly, while there are inevitably longer hours during busier periods, overall, I have found a great work-life balance working here.’ 

What were your first impressions of Harper James? What brought you here? 

‘I speculatively applied for a role as a Legal Assistant to gain experience while applying for training contracts. On my first day, I arrived dressed in a full suit and tie, only to be promptly told to ‘ditch the tie’. From there, I quickly realised that the attitudes to working here were far from traditional. It must have been a great first impression as here I am, almost five years later!’ 

From legal assistant to qualified solicitor, what has your journey been like so far? 

‘The journey from legal assistant to qualifying has been a period of significant personal and professional development and my colleagues have been there every step of the way, allowing me the space to grow which has been invaluable in my first year.’ 

‘During my time as a legal assistant and then as a trainee solicitor, I had the opportunity to explore a range of practice areas and gain exposure to different styles of working. I feel like I have always had the freedom to pursue my own interests, rather than being pigeonholed into specialising in any particular area. Since qualifying, I’ve been trusted from day one to handle my own matters independently, with access to more experienced colleagues for guidance and support whenever I need it.’ 

What are your main areas of commercial expertise? Do you have a niche, or have you had exposure to any particular sectors? 

‘A substantial portion of the work I undertake is with SaaS vendors that operate in the tech sector and creative agencies. I’m at an early stage in my career and I’m keen to try my hand at most commercial matters!’ 

What is the best piece of advice you would give someone looking to start a career in law? 

‘It is important to understand that the day-to-day role of a solicitor varies depending on the practice area you’re working in,’ Adam explains. ‘Where possible, try to gain as much exposure as you can to a variety of fields, whether that’s working as a paralegal or through work experience placements. This will help you understand more about what work and clients interest you the most and what best suits your working style – ultimately providing you with a clear path as you approach your qualification.’ 

What key moments have stood out for you in your career so far? 

‘Negotiating and closing a €1 million marketing services deal with a household name within my first six months as a qualified solicitor was certainly a highlight!’ 

Do you have any hobbies? What do you do to unwind? 

‘I am a big lover of music and regularly go to gigs and festivals in the summer. I also play the guitar and have started experimenting (poorly) with a MIDI keyboard I recently purchased.'