Interview

Tell me about your career, both the lows and the highs:

Doing my law degree was one of the lows as I really didn’t enjoy it; the internet had barely come in so research and work had to be done the hard way! Also after completing the Legal Practice Course, it was tough getting a training contract. I actually applied for a job as a secretary within the conveyancing department of this firm, which was then called Cunningham John. The HR lady at the time said they had a paralegal vacancy in the criminal department and this was something I really wanted to do, and I got the job. They counted a year of that towards my training contract, with the firm then offering the remaining year; the rest they say is history.

It was not until I got into practice that I really started to enjoy the work. As part of the training contract, I worked for a partner in the injury department. I specialised initially in child death cases and then in catastrophic injuries. It was incredibly challenging and emotionally tough, but I put all my passion into fighting for clients. Being able to help people following tragedies in a number of different ways is incredibly rewarding. That’s still what I love the most about the job.

Looking back at your career now, what are you most proud of?

Winning my first Court of Appeal case in 2007. It was a real David v Goliath case and we were on a knife-edge as to whether we would win it or not. I was fortunate enough to then win a second Court of Appeal case two years later. I also won a national Young Achiever of the Year Award off the back of this, which I was really surprised and pleased about (and only just scraped into the ‘young’ category).

What challenges have you faced (in particular as a woman in law) in climbing the progressive ladder within your chosen field of expertise?

I was single for a long time and did not meet my husband until I was about 38, which meant I was able to devote a lot of time to my work. I have to say in this firm I have never once felt at a disadvantage for being female; I have been given amazing opportunities to get involved in a number of firm-wide initiatives over the years and to progress up the career ladder. When I became a partner in 2007, there were quite a few female partners in what was then known as Kester Cunningham John, so I had some good role models to look up to.

This firm is incredibly progressive and provides all sorts of opportunities for progression to all, no matter what your background or qualifications.

How has Ashtons supported you in being able to juggle both your home and working life?

The firm has been amazing since I have had children. They were fantastic when it came to me returning to work part-time, and I was able to choose which hours I wanted to do and on what days. Allowing me flexibility has meant I can work in the evenings and fit around my husband’s shifts and hectic family life. I also have a very supportive team and we all work together to ensure that the business needs are met whilst helping each other with fitting around our home commitments.

When I had my first child the maternity pay wasn’t very competitive. I was interviewed by an Investors of People assessor and whilst I was very positive about the firm generally did raise this as an issue, particularly given the firm’s desire to be ‘employer of choice’. Soon afterward the firm changed its policy and we now have one of the best maternity pay schemes around!

What has been the hardest part of your working life since having your children?

Having to be very disciplined about work time and home time; both could easily merge into each other which could result in neither being successful. I think it is really important to have a lot of support around you. I am very fortunate to have supportive parents as well as an excellent team around me. I also slightly changed my role when I came back from maternity leave so that I would be more supervisory and could delegate a lot of the day to day work, and I think that also helped.

I work hard and aim to give over and above to the firm, but it is within defined lines. I think that if you don’t define it, you can get into difficulties.

I think any working parent will also say that it is utterly exhausting! Keeping life in perspective, and allowing a bit of time for yourself is also key.

What support/advice would you have for women who are striving to reach a higher status, such as partner level, despite having children?

I would say go for it, and keep going until you succeed. Anything is possible and you can succeed at anything you put your mind to. Take opportunities that come your way and have confidence in yourself. I never thought I would be where I am today, and if I can do it so can you! Just don’t give up.

But, I would also advise people to keep things into perspective and to maintain a healthy work/life balance. Being a Mum is one of the best (and hardest!) jobs you can do, and family is the most important thing. So whilst I advocate working hard, I would not overly strive for things to the detriment of your family, health or enjoying life; because then you have not achieved ‘success’.

How do you think law firms have changed over the years and do you think diversity is becoming more apparent in the workplace?

I do. Over the years as the firm’s training principal I saw more and more women applying for training contracts; one year I think the firm had an all-female intake!

At the moment our partnership has fewer females and we are under-represented in the partnership at the minute, but the opportunities are there for females within this firm if they want them. I believe at one point in the past nearly half of the partners were female.

I still hear about a lot of law firms who do not have flexible or home working; this would make things extremely difficult for working parents. Our firm is way ahead in this regard, and flexibility for working parents enables a work-life balance, which is priceless.

Someone once said to me that when I had children I would have to choose between working late in the office and progressing, or putting my children to bed. Flexible working means I don’t have to choose and can achieve both!

What advice would you give to law firms in respect of diversity and in particular supporting women in the workplace?

Provide as much support and flexibility as possible, which will get the best from people; with support and flexibility staff can work to maximum potential whilst also being there for their children, etc. This applies to people from all walks of life, not just working parents.

In the words of Richard Branson ‘Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to’.

It hasn’t been an easy ride, but 22 years on I can say the firm has supported me in learning how to do the job, in providing opportunities for me to grow, develop and progress my career, and in providing the flexibilities within my role and working hours to achieve my potential whilst being able to enjoy my family life.

Looking forward to the future, what are you hoping to achieve?

Surviving with two lively boys day-to-day is quite an achievement!

I am pleased with the Head of Group role which I am still getting used to; it is quite challenging so I am enjoying getting stuck into that.

I would love to grow as a group to be the ‘go-to’ firm in the region for all our services, embracing technology and new, innovative ways of working that will benefit our clients and makes us stand out above the rest.

One day I would also love to be influential in changing the law for the benefit of clients in some way.