Alexander Solomides

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Knights

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I graduated in 2023 and starting working at Knights shortly after as a Paralegal in their Intellectual Property team. A year after joining, I began working as a Trainee Solicitor and have balanced this role whilst studying part time for the SQE exams, successfully passing SQE1 at the beginning of 2025. I am now working towards the SQE2 which I plan on taking in the Summer and will use my qualifying work experience (QWE) to hopefully qualify in late 2025. Alongside my work, I have taken an active role in the Devon and Somerset Junior Lawyers Division committee which has been great in connecting me with likeminded individuals who are also beginning their legal careers.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I knew that I wanted to work in Commercial law which I why I decided to study LLB Law with Business in Penryn. A career in law is incredibly varied not just in the tasks, but the clients too and this has always greatly appealed to me. My role at Knights has allowed me to work with some large international companies and has also significantly improved my knowledge of the UK, due to the number of offices that I have been able to visit around the country.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

Besides the location, the most enjoyable part of my course was the variety provided by being able to study law and business. It greatly benefitted my commercial awareness and put law into a commercial context.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

Being able to study in Cornwall was a massive benefit of the degree. I began studying shortly before the Covid-19 lockdown, so when it hit, I was very lucky to be in an area with so much to offer.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

The year that I applied to the University was the first year that the LLB Law and Business Course was running in Penryn. Besides the great location, I knew that I wanted to work in commercial law and the course provided exactly the opportunity to develop my skills for that career.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

The two skills which have benefitted me most are communication and confidence. You learn so much from asking for advice from others or asking questions to help you develop, both of which require a lot of confidence. It’s import to get out of your comfort zone as much as possible as it’s the only way to grow it.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Ask lots of questions and try to get a varied background of work experience (legal and non legal). Law firms aren’t looking for a specialist from the get go, but someone that has a well balanced skill set that will provide a good platform for their development. 

What are your plans for the future?

Going forward, I will be taking my SQE2 exams and hope to qualify as a solicitor with a view to specialise in commercial/ IP law.