Thomas Eggar's new media specialist discusses her creative inspiration
Aurelia Butler-Ball has been charged with strengthening Thomas Eggar’s client base in the media sector in the Brighton and Hove area with a particular focus on new and emerging talent and digital media start-ups.
What was your route into the profession?
I obtained an English Literature degree and then completed the law conversion and LPC at the College of Law. I trained at a criminal law firm to earn my stripes, attending a police station in the middle of the night and being on my feet in the Magistrates’ Court. It was a lot of fun and I learned some very valuable skills that I utilise every day.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Being from a family of creatives and having briefly worked at Heavenly Records before going to law school, I was always determined to practice in media and entertainment law. Upon qualification I pestered every lawyer I could find working in the music industry and finally got the opportunity to join the legal department of Mercury Records at Universal Music for a few weeks unpaid work. This led to a paid job at Decca Records and then onto working with the well known music lawyer, Helen Searle. It was extremely challenging to break into this very competitive practice area and I feel extremely lucky that I did. I now have my own client base of bands, singer-songwriters, management companies, record labels, publishing companies and individuals and businesses working in film, TV and digital media.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
I find my clients hugely inspiring. Their ambition and ingenuity is contagious. Their creativity encourages me to be more innovative in the service I provide them, when approaching legal problems and negotiating deals.
Technology is making the media and entertainment industries develop at such a fast pace it is a constant challenge to find common ground between the new business models being launched and realising the monetary value of my client’s work.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
A journalist reporting from around the world, the next Kate Adie.
Who is your favorite fictional lawyer?
I grew up in a generation watching Ally McBeal which made all us girls want to be a lawyer…but in hindsight her very short skirts and minimal legal knowledge probably did nothing for women working in the profession.
What change would you make to the profession?
I would ensure that the number of students taken into law school was more in line with how many pupilages and training contracts there were out there. Too many law school graduates find it impossible to find a training contract or pupilage and the further student loans they incur are nearly impossible to pay off.
How do you relax?
Going to a gig at one of the fantastic live music venues we have in Brighton and taking long walks across the Sussex Downs.
Nominations for the Halsbury Legal Awards 2015, in association with NLJ, are now open. Visit the site to view all the categories and enter online. #Halsbury2015
