Inspiring graduate improves lawyer access

December 2007

Sohila Zanjani (LLB 1997) overcame a number of obstacles to build her own law-broking business which has just celebrated its 12th anniversary.

While looking to find work as a solicitor following her graduation, Ms Zanjani was rejected from 52 articled clerk positions before answering a job ad from Victorian solicitor Yuri Rapoport. Mr Rapoport was looking to recruit a law graduate at his new law brokerage firm – Prime Law Brokers (PLB) - where she is now owner and director.

PLB is a free 24-hour service for people looking for a lawyer to match their needs. Ms Zanjani said that the business aims to save her clients the time and money involved in finding a lawyer.

“Choosing the right lawyer is like finding an address. With a directory, you reach your destination faster and with far less headache and anxiety,” Ms Zanjani said.

"I am actively looking for partners or investors to join me in making PLB a household name".

Ms Zanjani has built up PLB after taking it over from Mr Rapoport in 1998. Since she answered the first phone call in 1996, PLB has assisted over 230,000 clients including companies and individuals from Australia and overseas.

A mother of four, the well-educated Ms Zanjani came to Australia from Iran in 1981 and found work quickly as a computer programmer. However, after later separating from her husband, Ms Zanjani felt less secure and became motivated to study law.

“I was not aware of my rights as a wife, a mother and indeed as a non-English speaking member of the Australian public. So I said to myself, ‘I must enter a law school to re-educate myself!’”

Ms Zanjani’s goal to study law at Monash University was harder than initially thought. Her Iranian degree was not recognised by Monash University so Ms Zanjani instead completed her Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and embarked on the first year of an Arts degree at Monash before transferring into a Bachelor of Laws.

“I was so happy to finally be accepted into law at Monash. I was virtually dancing behind the wheel of my car with the radio turned up,” she said.

Links:

Prime Law Brokers website