Name: Danielle Kingdon

Firm: Osborne Clarke

Position: Partner

Degree: Bachelor of Law

University: Cardiff University

Hobbies: Skiing, cycling, running, adventure sports and all the arts

Area of practice: Employment

When and why did you decide to train as a solicitor?

After I completed my A-levels, I was thinking of studying English at University because I had always wanted to work in the media; I thought I might want to be a newsreader.   My father is very persuasive and he suggested a law degree could be a really strong base to set me up for my career so in the end that’s what I studied at Cardiff.

 What are the most enjoyable aspects of your job?

For me a big part of job satisfaction is working with like-minded people. I think Osborne Clarke attracts intelligent and driven people who at the same time are enjoyable to work with. To a certain extent, this profile also spills into the type of clients we attract. 

I also really enjoy how intellectually challenging my work is. Just last Friday, we successfully defended an interim relief application at the employment tribunal which meant we had to turn everything around really quickly to build our case, both evidentially and in terms of legal submissions. 

What are the worst aspects of your job?

There are a number of procedural and administrative jobs that are very important to our business, but are not the most glamorous aspects of the job!

What’s the main issue that lawyers in your field are thinking about at the moment?

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Gender Pay Gap Reporting (GPGR) are the biggest issues. 

If you weren’t in your current field, what other area of law would you like to work in?

Media law

What’s the biggest misconception that students have about life as a lawyer?

There are a number of TV shows like Suits and Ally McBeal that really glamorise law.  The law is a fantastic profession to be in but I’m not sure that those sorts of shows reflect reality and therefore should form the basis for students choosing to enter the profession! 

Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself (in any order).

  • I created my own fitness exercise videos that sold in The Sunday Times.
  • I successfully summited Kilimanjaro.
  • I did the Nevis Bungy in Queenstown, a 134 metre jump! 

In one sentence, what’s the one key thing that students should understand about your firm?

Osborne Clarke has a very special culture which we treasure and is integral to the on-going success of the firm. 

What was the oddest thing you were asked to do as a trainee?

When I was a trainee a client asked me to pick up their car in the West End and drive it back into the City. It was a high performance sports car and I am a bit of a motor head. I was driving a bit too fast in wet weather and somehow pulled a 360 at a roundabout.  Luckily the car was fine and my client was none the wiser, but it was a real heart in mouth moment! 

What’s your best friend from law school doing now?

My best friend also started off practising law but decided to instead branch out into setting up a magazine providing practical legal support for business lawyers advising companies – which has since morphed into the “must have” legal tool known as PLC. He and his colleague sold the company in 2013 to Reuters for many millions and now he’s sunning himself in the Bahamas!