My legal life: Sabrina Parker

Raised in a close-knit Caribbean community in the Turks and Caicos Islands, I moved to the UK at 17 with my sister to pursue my education. This required independence, adaptability and determination. Navigating a new country without support systems shaped my character and taught me what it means to build a career from the ground up.

I studied law and later completed the LPC and LLM at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). The path to qualification was not always straightforward, but each stage strengthened my commitment to the profession and my belief in perseverance. Qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales is both a personal achievement and the closing of a chapter defined by growth, resilience and community.

MSB Solicitors played a central role in that journey. I started as an intern, first working as a typist and later as a legal assistant in the family department, before beginning my training contract in September 2024. I gained experience across a broad range of family law matters. I was trusted with responsibility, encouraged to think critically and supported by colleagues willing to teach, challenge and invest in my development. I leave not only as a qualified solicitor, but as a more assured practitioner shaped by the firm’s mentorship, inclusivity, culture and community. 

Inclusion within the profession is rooted in lived experience. As a Black Caribbean woman who relocated to the UK, I understand how representation can affect whether people believe certain spaces are open to them. Seeing someone who reflects your identity succeed can be transformative: it shows that there is a place for you and that your background is not a barrier.

Representation also matters for clients. People often seek legal advice at difficult moments. While legal expertise is paramount, there is value in firms reflecting the communities they serve. For some Black clients, barriers to accessing justice can include limited awareness of available support and uncertainty about whether legal spaces are truly accessible. Visibility can help clients feel more comfortable, understood and confident. Through MSB, my ideas to support the community were welcomed and encouraged, particularly by our managing partner Emma Carey. With colleagues’ support, I contributed to initiatives including La Feria and Refugee Week activities with the Anthony Walker Foundation, and working with LJMU’s Student Futures team through Black History Month events. Engaging with students and graduates from underrepresented backgrounds has been especially meaningful.

My involvement also extended to wider conversations around race equality. This included LJMU’s Round Table Discussion on Race Equality in the Workplace and the Liverpool City Region Race Equality Hub’s Leadership Empowerment event. These experiences reinforced my belief that Black History Month is not only about reflecting on history, but also about visibility, progression and ensuring diverse voices are heard.

I did not begin legal studies intending to specialise in family law. But once I joined MSB’s family department, the work clearly aligned with my values. Family law is fundamentally about people, often at life-changing moments involving relationship breakdowns, concerns about children or domestic abuse. What I value most is the human element. I have learned that effective practice requires legal expertise, empathy and robust advocacy. Sometimes clients need clarity and reassurance; at other times, they need someone prepared to speak confidently on their behalf. Being trusted with that responsibility is something I have never taken lightly.

Leaving MSB and Liverpool is bittersweet. Liverpool is where I studied, built my career and qualified as a solicitor. It shaped me personally and professionally. I will always be grateful for the relationships, mentorship and community that supported me. My next chapter takes me back to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Returning home feels like coming full circle. I want to use the knowledge and confidence I gained in Liverpool to contribute meaningfully to my home country, particularly by advocating for vulnerable and underrepresented communities. I am also passionate about ensuring young people have a voice in shaping the Islands’ future. I will be participating in the Youth Tribunal, speaking about preserving culture and history while preparing young people to become future leaders. The tribunal’s recommendations will be presented to government.