Finding my own path into serious injury law
A change of direction
My career hasn’t quite gone the way I originally planned. I wanted to be a criminal barrister and was called to the Bar in 2012. I spent two years working as an in-house advocate and came close to securing pupillage a couple of times, but unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.
When I moved back to my hometown of Sheffield, I needed a job and came across a paralegal role dealing with military injury claims. It sounded interesting, so I applied. I enjoyed the work and, as I gained experience, developed a real interest in personal injury litigation.
I still wanted to qualify, so I researched alternative routes and found a way to become a solicitor through the Chartered Legal Executive qualification. It meant studying alongside working full-time, but I got there in the end!
Building a career in serious injury law
As my career developed, I started handling a wider variety of cases, including workplace accidents, road traffic collisions and serious brain, spinal cord and amputation injury claims. I subsequently joined BBK’s Complex Injury Team when I was two and a half years qualified, after hearing about an opportunity through a former colleague. I was promoted to Senior Solicitor within six months and have since progressed to Senior Associate, leading my own team.
What keeps me engaged
What I really enjoy about serious injury litigation is the technical side of the work. I like the variety, problem-solving, strategy and negotiation. In some ways, it’s like a game of chess, trying to anticipate what might happen next and working out the best way forward. I also enjoy getting to know clients and understanding what they want to achieve, because that inevitably influences how you approach their case and keeps them at the heart of the litigation.
Leadership and mentoring
As I’ve progressed, I’ve also found that I really enjoy leading and mentoring others. It’s particularly rewarding watching someone develop their confidence and start trusting their own judgment. I know from experience how much difference good management and encouragement can make.
Connecting law with the farming community
Outside my caseload, I’ve been developing BBK’s presence in the agricultural sector. I’ve been involved with horses all my life and have kept them on working farms for much of that time. Although I don’t come from a farming family, I’ve developed an understanding of some of the pressures and challenges farmers face.
BBK encourages us to develop business opportunities around our personal interests, so I approached the Farming Community Network (FCN) about working together. The firm supported the idea, and I’ve really enjoyed getting involved with FCN at agricultural events, chatting to farmers and learning more about their lives and the issues affecting them.
Advice for aspiring lawyers
If I could give aspiring lawyers one piece of advice, it would be not to assume there’s only one route to where you want to be. I’ve had to find alternative ways of achieving things, ask for opportunities and make a case for myself throughout my career. Plans don’t always work out, and sometimes you have to adapt, but that doesn’t mean you won’t end up where you should be.
