NLJ PROFILE: Jo Edwards

Forsters head of family law, Jo Edwards, is a former Chair of Resolution.

What was your route into the profession?

Fairly traditional; law degree at Oxford, LPC at the College of Law, Chester and a City training contract at a mid-sized firm with a strong private client focus. Having taken no time out during my studies, I qualified when I was only 24. I remember feeling rather "wet behind the ears" as a trainee and when my first training supervisor asked me on day one to put something in the DX, I had to ask a secretary what that meant… 

What has been your biggest career challenge so far?

Between April 2014 and April 2016, I chaired national family lawyers' organisation Resolution, which has around 6,500 members committed to promoting a conciliatory approach when working with separating couples. It was an honour and a privilege to be Chair of such a wonderful organisation, but every day brought new challenges—giving the Chair's address at my inaugural conference in 2014 to an audience of nearly 500 when public speaking is one of my least favourite things; having to do a valedictory speech for Mr Justice Coleridge, and a welcome to Mrs Justice Roberts, within weeks of becoming Chair (I will never forget the banks of High Court and Court of Appeal judges in front of me as I spoke, and the packed court room of solicitors and barristers behind, and trying—and no doubt failing—to be witty); giving evidence to the Justice Select Committee about the proposed increase in court fees; being grilled on the Radio 4 Today programme (and various other TV and radio shows over my two year term) about aspects of family law; and trying to juggle a busy practice with an active public-facing role.  

Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?

Baroness Hale. Despite being a woman in a male-dominated world, she has stood firm about causes she believes in (e.g. criticising the legal profession for failing to hire talented women in senior positions; campaigning for no fault divorce). Closer to home, my previous heads of department Jane Simpson and then Jane Craig, who have been my role models in my first year heading up my own department.

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

I always wanted to be a weather forecaster in the mould of Wincey Willis on TV-AM. Or a professional karaoke singer.

Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?

Grace van Owen in LA Law (for the big hair, lip gloss and shoulder pads); Ally McBeal (I always wanted to sing in that bar downstairs…); Martha Costello (for her northern grittiness).

What change would you make to the profession?

I would provide a properly funded legal aid system so that those in need have access to tailored legal advice and support at the outset. The cuts heralded by LASPO, and discussions since, overlook the fact that solicitors are part of the solution, not the problem. Limited funding for initial legal advice could signpost people to other services and, in many cases, avoid them becoming caught up in the system as litigants in person, in itself at much greater cost to the public purse than if people had at least some access to legal advice. If I could wave a magic wand, I would also help the tabloid press understand that the typical legal aid lawyer is not a fat cat but a dedicated professional, working at the coal face at ever decreasing margins, who does a wonderful job for vulnerable people for little (and often no) reward. 

How do you relax?

Travel (I am known for always having several trips in the pipeline; I am having a month travelling around the US later this year); a long work-out at the gym (I am training for the Royal Parks half marathon in October).