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NLJ PROFILE: Zoe O'Sullivan QC

01 April 2019
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
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Barrister Zoe O'Sullivan QC, who recently joined Serle Court Chambers, tells NLJ where her love of words has taken her

What was your route into the profession?

I read English at Oxford University. Having decided that I would enjoy a career involving words, I initially flirted with becoming a solicitor before deciding to apply for the law conversion course at City University. After City, I completed my Bar finals and moved straight on to pupillage and tenancy at One Essex Court, where I remained until my move to Serle Court Chambers in March 2019.

What has been your biggest career challenge so far?

On returning to work after having my third child, I was instructed as part of the counsel team in a huge IT case, BSkyB Ltd and another v HP Enterprise Services UK Ltd (formerly Electronic Data Systems Ltd) and others [2010] EWHC 86 (TCC), which occupied a whole year of court time in the Technology and Construction Court. I had to work most weekends and holidays while caring for three very small children (with the help of my long-suffering husband).  However, I did develop my experience into a successful IT practice.

Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?

I am simply in awe of Dinah Rose QC of Blackstone Chambers, who seems to be incapable of losing a case.

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

Senior management at John Lewis, my favourite shop.

Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?

Chuck Rhoades Jr in the TV series Billions.

What change would you make to the profession?

I would move away from billing by the hour, which encourages inefficiency and makes young lawyers miserable.

How do you relax?

I sing with the Bach Choir, and dance the Argentine tango badly.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Partner joins family law team inLondon

Jackson Lees Group—five promotions

Jackson Lees Group—five promotions

Private client division announces five new partners

Taylor Wessing—Max Millington

Taylor Wessing—Max Millington

Banking and finance team welcomes partner in London

NEWS
The landmark Supreme Court’s decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd—along with Rukhadze v Recovery Partners—redefine fiduciary duties in commercial fraud. Writing in NLJ this week, Mary Young of Kingsley Napley analyses the implications of the rulings
Barristers Ben Keith of 5 St Andrew’s Hill and Rhys Davies of Temple Garden Chambers use the arrest of Simon Leviev—the so-called Tinder Swindler—to explore the realities of Interpol red notices, in this week's NLJ
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] has upended assumptions about who may conduct litigation, warn Kevin Latham and Fraser Barnstaple of Kings Chambers in this week's NLJ. But is it as catastrophic as first feared?
Lord Sales has been appointed to become the Deputy President of the Supreme Court after Lord Hodge retires at the end of the year
Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are reportedly in the firing line in Chancellor Rachel Reeves upcoming Autumn budget
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