Bursary Update: Ollie Nicholls: “I was surrounded by people at the very top of their game.”

We meet our latest candidate from our Manchester cohort and discover a heart-warming story of success.

Tell us a little about your early life and education? What was your family background and upbringing like?

I come from a very traditional family where education was highly valued. Both of my parents were teachers, deeply familiar with the system of success in academia. They understood the importance of discipline, hard work, and structured learning—principles they instilled in both me and my older brother. However, while my brother thrived in this environment, becoming a straight-A student and attending a ‘traditionally’ more prestigious  university, I often felt overshadowed. As the second child, I was naturally independent and frequently left to my own devices—sometimes by my own will, sometimes by circumstance. At this point, I must point out I am very grateful for the impact of my parents’ roles on my life and do not mean the penultimate sentence in a negative way.

After receiving mediocre GCSE and A-Level results, I realised that if I wanted to succeed, I needed to take control of my education. University became a turning point. Determined to prove my capabilities, I applied myself fully to my studies, pushing beyond past complacency. Determined to take control of my future, I worked tirelessly, culminating in achieving 90% on my master’s dissertation—a defining moment in my academic career. I felt this way as I did this on my own merit. I did not embrace help, I wanted to do it myself.

While my journey may not have followed the traditional path my parents envisioned, I ultimately embraced their values of perseverance and self-discipline, proving that success is about growth and determination, not just early achievement. I would say that whilst I do not regret my decisions, I wish I knew what I knew now, 10 years earlier – but that’s life.

Who were your heroes growing up?

I never really had heroes growing up, but the person I admired most in a professional capacity was my Great Uncle Gordon. He was a circuit judge—extremely intelligent, effortlessly composed, and someone who just exuded class. I always looked up to him, not just because of his achievements but because of the way he carried himself. He lived in a massive house, which may or may not have influenced my admiration, but more importantly, he acted as a role model for what success in law could look like.

As a trainee lawyer, I feel we had a lot in common, and I only wish we had more time for him to see me follow in his footsteps. When I was at university, I would often ask for his opinion on legal matters, but he would always remind me—half amused—that he had retired long before the statutes I was studying had even been introduced. Still, his legacy and influence shaped my aspirations, and I hope I’ve made him proud. Aside from that, probably, annoyingly, Morrissey.

Tell us about how you came across Finito and what your first experiences with the business were? 

From my very first experiences with Finito, I was impressed. Every single person I’ve spoken to has been incredibly knowledgeable, highly professional, and genuinely friendly. It was clear from the outset that I was surrounded by people who were at the top of their game, committed to guiding and supporting those they work with. The atmosphere was both welcoming and inspiring, and I knew right away that I was in the right place to grow and develop professionally.

What was it like to be photographed by Sam Pearce?

Being photographed by Sam Pearce was a daunting experience at first, as I had never had my photo professionally taken before. To make things even more stressful, I got lost trying to find the building, which didn’t exactly help my nerves. However, once I finally arrived, Sam was incredibly welcoming and put me at ease straight away.

Not only is she brilliant at what she does, but she’s also genuinely friendly, which made the whole experience far more enjoyable than I had expected. On top of getting a quality LinkedIn photo, I also ended up with a guided tour of London along the way. All in all, what started as a nerve-wracking experience turned into a really positive one, thanks to Sam’s professionalism and warm personality. I actually asked for more photos than the one she sent me – which I was told – was a Finito first.

How did you find your LinkedIn training?

My LinkedIn training with Amanda was a great experience—she was incredibly nice and accommodating, especially with my schedule at the time since I was working. She made the process as smooth as possible, which I really appreciated.

That being said, LinkedIn is a completely different beast from any other social media platform I’ve used. Despite being part of the first generation to grow up with social media, I still haven’t quite got the hang of it—and, to be honest, I probably never will. However, thanks to the training, I’m now fully set up and ready to use it… even if I still hate it!

Which mentors did you get assigned to and what sort of things did you work on with them?

At the start of my assignment, I was fortunate to be assigned the very lovely Tom Pauk. He immediately reminded me of my great uncle Gordon in all the best possible ways—an incredible role model and a true oracle of all things law. Having lived and breathed legal service for so many years, his knowledge and guidance were invaluable. Together, we worked on interview training, planning for psychometric tests, and scheduling application dates, all of which helped me approach the process with more structure and confidence.

Later on, I had the privilege of working with the intelligent James Slater, who built on Tom’s foundation. James took a more active role in selecting firms to apply for, leveraging his network to gather useful insights, and assisting with the writing of application answers. His strategic approach and industry knowledge were instrumental in refining my applications. Both mentors played a huge role in my journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for their support and expertise.

Tell us about the interview process for the role you acquired? 

The interview process for the role I acquired was quite unconventional. There wasn’t a formal interview process at all. It started when my friend casually called me and mentioned they were hiring. He gave me the partner’s email address, and I began emailing weekly to follow up. After a while, I grew tired of not getting a response, so I sent a straightforward message: “Hi Raj, any update? Cheers.”

Within five minutes, he replied, asking if I was available for an interview in 30 minutes. I said yes, and we had the interview. During the conversation, we discussed our goals and I shared more about who I am as a person. At the end of the interview, he offered me the job on the spot. It was a pretty spontaneous and informal process, but it worked out perfectly!

What is the role like and does it challenge you? 

The role I’m in is focused on crisis management and commercial litigation, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before. I really embrace the challenge, even though I often feel like a bit of an idiot with the number of questions I ask daily. It’s a steep learning curve, but everything always seems to work itself out in the end.

I’m working on high-stakes, multimillion-pound cases, and it’s an incredibly dynamic environment. Every day feels like I’m right in the thick of it, navigating complex legal issues, managing intense client expectations, and developing strategic solutions under pressure. I’ve learned to think on my feet, make quick decisions, and prioritise effectively, all while collaborating with a brilliant team.

There’s never a dull moment – one minute, we’re dealing with an urgent crisis, and the next, we’re analysing intricate legal details in a fast-paced litigation scenario. It’s a role that constantly challenges me, pushes me out of my comfort zone, and sharpens my skills in ways I didn’t expect. It’s a demanding but rewarding experience, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What are your goals now for the future? 

My goals for the future are to continue with what I’m doing right now for the foreseeable future—seeing out my training contract and gaining as much experience as I can. After that, I’m definitely considering making the move to London. I’ve only visited a few times, but I’ve fallen in love with the vibe of the city, and I can really see myself living and working there.

Having lived in Newcastle, Manchester, and Leeds, I feel ready for a bigger city, with bigger challenges, and of course, bigger pay. I’m eager to dive into the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of London and take on the opportunities it offers. I’m driven by the desire to keep growing in my career, taking on complex work, and continuing to push myself to new heights. The future is all about embracing the next challenge and making the most of the opportunities that come my way. I want to become a stereotype, I want the tom ford suits and working 300 hour weeks – it’s what I actually want to do; obviously not my entire life but it’s a layer cake isn’t it?

Ollie is another one of the students supported by Andrew Law and the Law Family Charitable Foundation and we’d like to take the opportunity to thank them once again for their kind support of the Finito bursary scheme.