Alumni profile

I attended Newcastle Law School from 2002 to 2005. The Law School was a friendly and inviting place and I always felt welcomed by the lectures. I made friends during my course who remain my best friends now, 20 years later. We spent many longs days in the Robinson Library, particularly in our 3rd year, sharing ideas and desperately trying to complete our essays on time before racing to the law school with our paper copies to meet the deadlines. Our favourite lecturer at the time was Richard Mullender who taught us all we needed to know about dichotomies in tort law. I selected an elective in family law in my third year and I found the subject fascinating. The interplay between the law and family relationships was fascinating to me. I was also compelled by the prospect of finding justice for families who had been forced apart or who needed to get access to funds to support their children after separating. I knew then that I wanted to be a family lawyer. 

During my time at the Law School the city certainly lived up to expectations. Alongside my studies, there were many memorable nights at the Globe in the Student Union where I went to see Keane, Razerlight and Snow Patrol. We went to ‘Positive’ at the Union every Friday night where I met many new people from across the globe, studying an array of different subjects. I was also a cellist in the chamber orchestra, which I loved as it allowed me to practice and give me an escape from studying when needed.  

I graduated with a 2:1 Hons in Law and then I went on to complete my Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in York. Securing a training contract was extremely tough at the time. I volunteered at Stockton Citizen’s Advice Bureau which gave me some experience and confidence speaking to clients. I secured a training contact at law firm in Teesside. I was 23 and I was still living at home. After I qualified in the family team, I was given an opportunity to work for Dickinson Dees in Newcastle. After living and working on the Quayside for 5 years I decided to move my career to London and I have lived in the South East ever since. I was made a Partner at a top 50 law firm when I was 33. I am recently moved (again as a Partner) to another top firm, Russell Cooke and specialise in high value divorce cases and complex disputes relating to children.  

My top tip for anyone embarking on a legal career is don’t be afraid to be yourself. I always felt very daunted by what I perceived a lawyer should be; I didn’t think that I met that mould. In fact, I realised that being able to relate to people, empathise with others alongside having a relentless desire to resolve a problem were the most important skills I needed. I also realised that all my life and work experience was relevant to my legal career – the customer service skills gained from my weekend job working at Marks & Spencer on Northumberland Street came in very handy when dealing with client queries! Once I realised this, it didn’t matter that I didn’t have any legal connections. I just needed to work hard and have confidence in myself.