Little did I know, when I tripped over the threshold on my way into what was my first ‘proper’ interview some 27 years ago, that I was about to embark upon a journey that would take me through the whole range of jobs in the legal profession, leading to a partnership.

When asked by my interviewer why I wanted to become an office junior, I explained, quite candidly, that, while I had an interest in the law, I wanted to become an enforcer, not a lawyer. I wanted to work for Buller Jeffries to earn a bit of cash until I was old enough to be recruited. I might also learn something that might help me when I became a police officer!

That was the first step on the road to discovering what working in the law was all about. I started my career making coffee, delivering letters, issuing proceedings and subpoenas at court and attending to the demands for bacon sandwiches and the like.

Like my colleagues’ penchant for bacon sandwiches, my hunger to work in civil litigation developed over that year and resulted in promotion to junior typist. By this point, I was completely hooked on working with claimants and defendants in civil litigation.

After a spell working for anyone who needed some help from someone who was teaching herself to type, a position came up working for Geoff Lewis, my original interviewer
and a partner in the firm.

I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and became his secretary for some years.

At that point, I had already (and quietly because exams had never been my best point at school) decided to go to night school to study for an O Level in the general principles English law, “just to see if I liked it” but also to help me understand the nature of the work I was doing.

After this point, the bug must have well and truly bitten because I moved on to try A Level law on the same basis, before dipping my toe into the legal executive course. This coincided with my introduction to fee-earning work as a trainee legal executive with Buller Jeffries. During 1995, I became a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives – a considerable milestone for me and a title I was (and still am) very proud to have earned, particularly having achieved it while holding down a full-time job and looking after a young family.

And then, in 2002, I was promoted to associate legal executive.

The studying bug bit again and I decided to embark on a distance learning course at the College of Law here in Birmingham. I obtained my post graduate diploma in law in 2003 and completed the LPC during 2004, leading to my admission as a solicitor in 2005.

I have had a remarkable experience to date but, not wishing to paint too bright a picture, it has had its difficult and stressful times, particularly, the times spent juggling work, family and studying.

In the past, I have always shied away from referring to my beginnings with the firm. However, I have recently reflected upon this because that history has provided an excellent foundation for working in the law. To provide the service that clients require, to unravel the detail of a case and give accurate advice at competitive rates requires the same determination, hard work and application. If I can relate my story in order to encourage others travelling along the same road, it is one that I am happy to share.

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