The new Clarke Wilmott partner admits a fondness for Regency bonnets & celebrates the first female lawyer
Vicky Kells has been appointed as partner to the Clarke Willmott LLP social housing finance team.
Vicky, who specialises in charging affordable housing portfolios to lenders and security trustees, brings seven years’ experience of working with registered providers and social landlords in the social housing sector. She has been heavily involved in a number of prominent funding cases, including acting on behalf of a large London-based housing association in April 2012 to support its £250 million bond issue.
What was your route into the profession?
A fairly traditional route of a law degree, followed by Legal Practice Course, both at Cardiff University. After finishing the LPC, I got a job as a legal assistant in the remortgaging team of Eversheds Phillips & Buck (as it then was) and managed to secure a training contract after 12 months. I obviously enjoyed my time at Cardiff University as I returned in 2005 and taught property law for 2 years on the LPC before returning to practice in 2007.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Returning to private practice from academia in 2007 to take on a role in real estate finance—they say timing is everything! Fortunately, I was able to concentrate on social housing finance which, although it was affected, was not decimated to the extent of the rest of property finance market.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
As International Women’s Day has just passed, I would say Carrie Morrison, the first woman solicitor in England and Wales, and all those female lawyers who have been and continue to be generous and supportive mentors to other women in the profession. I am fortunate to work with many of them in Clarke Willmott.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I would love to be a TV historian, ideally prancing around in a Regency bonnet (in the style of Dr Lucy Worsley).
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall—for his clever conniving and pragmatism. Hilary Mantel has done a pretty good PR job, making the villain of A Man for All Seasons seem misunderstood and (almost) sympathetic.
What change would you make to the profession?
The proposed cuts to the Legal Aid budget concern me as the principle of access to justice irrespective of means should be protected. If it has the effect of driving people out of the profession and making it less diverse then that cannot be a good thing for justice or the profession.
How do you relax?
Camping—there is nothing nicer than being sat outside in the sunshine with a cup of coffee in your hand and the smell of bacon wafting around the campsite whilst watching the world go by. Admittedly, the sunshine part is not always present in this country!
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