NLJ Career profile: Tahina Akther

What was your route into the profession?

I come from an immigrant family living in a northern steel-working town so my route into the profession was very much by trial and error!  No one in my immediate family was a lawyer or worked in law so I had to find out myself. 

I was fortunate to select Law as a degree at one of the top redbrick universities for Law, this positioned me well for the BVC immediately after.  I can still remember one of my lecturers telling my class that most of us would not become barristers or solicitors. I always liked a challenge!  I spent a lot of time researching chambers and was successful in my pupillage application resulting in me moving to Exeter, a long way away from Scunthorpe.

I then moved to Manchester for family reasons before finally settling on the South Coast.  After working with several law firms I decided to make the move to run my own SRA authorised ABS during the Covid period.  I had seen how effective home working could be and felt that many clients could benefit from having barristers and solicitors working on their matters from the outset.

What has been your biggest career challenge so far?

Setting up and growing my own law firm.  This is still very much seen as breaking the traditional mould of a Barrister.  Running a business and a number of solicitors is both challenging but also incredibly rewarding.  I have especially enjoyed seeing the transformation that several of them have gone through moving from traditional working hours to having greater control over their hours, benefiting not only them but their families.

Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?

My old pupil master Christopher Naish. His technical ability is second to none, and his ability to absorb seemingly vast amounts of information in a very short timescale. I have always been inspired by his calm but assertive approach to legal matters. He was also able to see ability in others that did not necessarily come from traditional “barrister” backgrounds like myself.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?

Without a doubt it would be a chef!  I come from a family of cooks and I love cooking for large parties and of course eating!

Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?

I spent many a teenage year watching Ally McBeal, and she inspired me to pursue a career in law. The reality was a little different especially at the start of my career.

What change would you make to the profession?

Greater innovation and willingness to adapt to modern client demands. That does not mean dispensing with hundreds of years of tradition, but there is a balance that can be reached and I think we are still a way off this currently.  Flexible working is great example of this, it can bring positive benefits to lawyers and clients but many firms are still reluctant to adopt it. 

How do you relax?

As well as watching the Iron (Scunthorpe United) play, I also play cricket locally. Whilst primarily a batsman my son is going to great efforts to teach me how to spin bowl!

Boutique law firm Wildcat Law acted for the board of Scunthorpe United FC in its recent £3m purchase of the Glanford Park stadium and grounds, with the stadium forming part of a community interest company (CIC). As well as negotiating the contract terms and final settlement between the former owner and a short licence agreement for the club to remain at Glandford Park ground while the sale completed, Tahina oversaw the creation of the CIC in just 48 hours, working with multiple funders including the Council, and the CIC Regulator.