6 minute read
A Personal Journey into Law
A Personal Journey into Law
Marque Janneh talks to Legal Women about her legal career and why she founded ROLLA (Rule of Law for Lawyers Association)
I always knew I would become a lawyer, having many early memories in my father’s law office and hanging around the court complexes in Banjul, Gambia. I didn't fully understand the law at the time—but I sensed the power it held. The office was always filled with case files, law books, and all the paraphernalia of a law chamber. I remember the gratitude my father’s clients expressed, and that stayed with me. I saw firsthand that being a lawyer could be a force for good—for individuals and for communities.
As I grew older, my view of the law evolved. It wasn’t just about helping individual clients but about strengthening legal systems in developing countries like The Gambia. I knew that the rule of law is an essential ingredient for development. For me, this was a good enough reason to study law, and I was fortunate to do so in the United Kingdom (UK).
But my path to qualification was not straightforward. And that’s exactly the point of this blog: the legal profession has many valid routes. If you’re determined, willing to work hard, and open to opportunities, you will succeed—even if it means building your own table. This may sound like a cliché, but it is the plain truth.
Adjusting to a New System
Moving to and studying in the UK was a big adjustment. I didn’t pursue summer placements because I was still finding my footing. But I did secure an internship at a top Gambian firm, Amie Bensouda & Co, and after I graduated, I gave myself one summer to gain some UK legal experience. I was in no rush to practise law in The Gambia which at the time, was under almost two decades-long dictatorial regime, and my aspirations for a strengthened rule-of-law-based system felt incompatible—and extremely risky.
My first breakthrough came through family. My aunt reached out to her cousin, who connected me to a Gambian lawyer working in a small high-street law firm. That connection opened the door. I worked on immigration, housing, and family law—fast-paced, front-line legal work. It was here I learned what law school doesn’t always teach: client handling, planning for simple things like; document posting to meet deadlines, file management, and courtroom etiquette. It also exposed me to public law and judicial review—concepts that had previously lived only in textbooks.
It wasn’t a city firm. It wasn’t glamorous. But it involved real cases. And it was invaluable.
I always knew I would become a lawyer, having many early memories in my father’s law office and hanging around the court complexes in Banjul, Gambia.”
First Steps into Government Work
My next step was as a paralegal at the Government Legal Department (GLD), then known as the Treasury Solicitor’s Department. This was a different world—a large, highly structured organisation. I worked in the Employment Litigation and Advisory Group, supporting several lawyers simultaneously. The pace was relentless, but it taught me how to manage pressure, balance competing deadlines, and communicate effectively with senior legal professionals. Even now, I can point to cases I supported that made a real impact on people’s lives in the UK.
Still, I realised early on that there wasn’t a clear progression route to qualification. I tried applying to the GLD and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) trainee schemes multiple times, getting as far as the final stages, but never securing a spot. To be honest, I didn’t apply for as many training contracts as others did. I just knew that my route would be different.
Building My Own Table
There were times I felt disillusioned working as a paralegal. However, a nudge came from an unexpected place—a legal officer at GLD called Stephen, someone from a completely different background. He suggested volunteering at the Free Representation Unit, which offered training. I started actively building my table. Soon, I had advocated at the Employment Tribunal and even negotiated a generous settlement for a client whose case initially seemed hopeless. I also took on part-time casework, assisting the lawyer who had first given me a chance and was now senior at his firm. Every experience added to the table I was building—steadily and meaningfully.
I kept a lookout for opportunities, and one came up that matched my growing skills: a senior paralegal role at HMRC Solicitor’s Office, which offered a clear training and qualification route. This period was one of the best of my working life. The team had a positive culture, and the team leader was instrumental in making my training a success. I was trained well but trusted to work independently, and I loved it. I handled a good caseload and appeared regularly at the Rolls Building and County Courts—even travelled as far as Manchester for hearings.
Full Circle
I eventually qualified as a solicitor through this role, and since then, I’ve worked as a prosecutor at the CPS and now as a government lawyer at GLD. Returning to the organisations I once aspired to join—now as a qualified lawyer—was a full-circle moment. I also represent members of my profession at the Law Society. I’m a qualified lawyer in The Gambia and I am aiming to support the rule of law through an organisation I established called ROLLA (Rule of Law for Lawyers Association). I’m also a proud member of the Female Lawyers Association Gambia (FLAG). However I’ll reserve this story for another article!
I hope it is a reminder that progression isn’t a fixed path, and success looks different for everyone. Your journey is unique—and valid.
Final Reflections
So, what do I want you to take from this?
• Take every opportunity or help seriously. Sometimes, your biggest break comes in an unexpected form, and sometimes only after a lot of consistent effort.
• And finally, if there’s no seat at the table for you, build your own. It might not be shiny at first—but keep polishing it. ■
Marque Janneh
Solicitor-Department for Business and Trade,
Founder-ROLLA, Law Society Council Member
