Career story: Temi Obembe

Employment law is ultimately about people. For Temi Obembe, Associate in HCR Law’s Employment, HR and Immigration team, helping clients address complex workplace issues and achieve the best possible outcomes is what makes the role so fulfilling.

She shares how she got into employment law, qualifying in two jurisdictions, and how she supports clients through workplace challenges.

How did you get into law?

My path into law has been anything but conventional. In fact, I originally intended to study medicine at university.

After completing my LLB Law degree at Keele University, I moved to Abuja to attend law school in Nigeria. In November 2018, I was called to the Bar as a Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

I then spent a year working at the law firm of the current Attorney General of Nigeria, gaining invaluable early experience before returning to the UK to complete my LPC in 2020. I later cross-qualified through the QLTS route, now known as the SQE, and qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in February 2022.

It took a great deal of studying and hard work to get here, but with almost five years’ qualification in England and Wales and eight years in Nigeria under my belt, I can confidently say it was all worth it.

What makes employment law so rewarding?

I love my job because it’s genuinely interesting and I enjoy supporting my clients to achieve their objectives.

At its core, employment law is about people and no two days are the same. One day I’m helping a business navigate a particularly complex workplace issue. The next, I’m supporting an individual as they negotiate favourable settlement terms following a dispute with their employer.

A significant part of my work involves resolving contentious employment matters. While an Employment Tribunal is not somewhere anyone wants to find themselves, I take pride in making the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible for my clients.

I advise businesses and individuals across the full spectrum of employment law, with a particular interest in discrimination law and matters arising under the Equality Act 2010.

Employment law is constantly evolving and staying on top of legal developments to support my clients is not only exciting but incredibly rewarding. The opportunity to help clients through challenging situations while continuing to learn is one of the things I enjoy most about my role.