What was your route into the profession?
A fairly conventional one, it has to be said! An unwavering ambition as a teenager to be a lawyer (not that I knew any lawyers, mind you), a law degree, followed by the LPC at Chester College of Law, and then a training contract in London with Charles Russell (as it was known then).
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Not so much of a challenge, as perhaps the most interesting project I have worked on—last year I acted as one of two special advisers to the Women and Equalities Select Committee on their enquiry into the use of confidentiality clauses and settlement agreements in discrimination and harassment cases. It gave a fascinating insight into the work of the Committee, the role of legislation, the part that lawyers have to play in helping clients reach settlement agreements that best meet the needs of both sides, overlaid by the competing tensions between demands for confidentiality and at the same time, visibility of issues—particularly where inappropriate behaviour was recurring.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
There’s many who I admire (and too many to list here), but in terms of those who most inspire me: Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
Outside the law, it’s been a long-term ambition to host Women’s Hour on Radio 4—so can I say that? When I heard recently that both Jenni Murray and Jane Garvey were stepping down, I did think my time might have come….
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
From a literary perspective, Atticus Finch in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ made a big impression on me when I read it at school. But at risk of really showing my age here, as a young lawyer living in a shared house in the late 90s, I have to say that Ally McBeal appeared to be working in the law firm of our dreams, with a bar in the basement with live music nightly, beautiful and witty friends and colleagues, interesting cases and of course, the dancing baby.
What change would you make to the profession?
I think the profession could, and should, do more to take care of its own. It’s something I would like to see ELA do more of while I am Chair. Our jobs can be lonely, stressful and challenging, particularly when we work so closely with individuals who are often dealing with distressing and upsetting workplace issues—whether on the corporate or individual side— and there aren’t always appropriate avenues of support for lawyers feeling the weight of these pressures, on top of those that go hand in hand with juggling workloads and family/home life.
How do you relax?
A combination of spending sofa time with the family curled up in front of the TV, and in more ‘normal times’, live music gigs with friends and some quality time with a book, a glass of something cold and a sun lounger somewhere hot and sunny!
