Speaking of Law: What would I say to my younger self?

When I left school after sixth form (an indulgence – my siblings didn’t go and my parents could not afford to send me to university) I worked for a bank, but I get bored easily. After working my way up through the different sections, I then worked for a time at the University of Essex. I discovered a love of law after taking A Level Law at evening classes and I wanted to pursue it further. I can remember buying the Times to read the law reports and making scrap books of cases. How much easier it is now! By this time I had a house and mortgage. Working at the university served a purpose and meant I could use the library in my lunch breaks and after work to study law, whilst working and studying for CILEX to get my degree, and I could use the nursery for the two children I would have. So many nights I would fall asleep reading and re-reading the same text as I was so tired, but I persevered.

After I had paid for my studies myself, in my own time, I went into practice. It was a whole new world. With law, I did not get bored. It is constantly changing, and you have to keep on your toes to keep up with it. I loved it and felt that I had found where I was meant to be. I can remember the butterflies I got from going to court. I worked hard. Very hard. As a fellow of CILEX I had a lot to prove. I can remember in my first week being sent with a client to represent them at the Royal Courts of Justice. They had thrown me the ball, and I caught it.

At my first local law society ball, the topic of conversation round the table was “What was your school motto?”. Everyone had been to private school and shared their Latin mottos. It came to me, and I didn’t know what to say. I had been to a comprehensive school; there had been no motto! Over 22 years I worked my way up, from starting in debt recovery, then general civil and commercial litigation, then specialising in contentious trust and probate. I became a fixed share partner, then an equity partner and Head of Department where I grew my team. I was proud that I had managed to prove myself and have a seat round the table, despite not living in the right street, having the right background, and being CILEX, not a solicitor, the first in the firm’s 143 year history.

Now, instead of litigating disputes, I help people resolve them. I trained as a mediator 10 years ago and have left practice to mediate full time.  I find it much more rewarding as it empowers the parties to find their own solution to the dispute, the costs saved and the relationships restored.

Reflecting, what I would say to my younger self now, looking back? Yes, work hard, do work that you enjoy and that challenges you. Worry less about what other people think. How you chose to face those challenges and the choices you make, are all character building and make you the person you are. If you don’t like it change it. If you can’t change it, learn to put up with it. Be true to yourself. Keep going, keep persevering, keep your integrity. Be yourself.

Life is an incredible journey. Embrace it.