Hot 100 career quiz: Arnold & Porter London head Kathleen Harris

What’s your most vivid memory from being a trainee?

I clearly recall walking around and feeling in awe when meeting some of the barristers that I had admired from a distance! However, I gathered my thoughts and did my best to apply myself while absorbing as much knowledge as I could.

I will always remember preparing for a mock trial against the pupils of QEB Chambers in front of HHJ Paget at the Old Bailey. I was determined to do really well and ensure that my pupil master, Anthony Leonard QC, was proud of the person he had encouraged, supported and taught everything there was to know about life as a barrister. He took me to one side and asked me if I was nervous? I replied that nervous was a polite way of putting things. After a short pep talk, I gathered myself together and gave it my best shot. I received excellent feedback and to date it remains one of my vivid memories of training as a barrister.

There were people that supported me in those early years who probably wouldn’t at that time have been recognised for supporting diversity. I can certainly say their guidance and wisdom made me the practitioner that I am and allowed me to put aside the negative comments and believe in myself during those early years.

What is the wisest thing anyone ever said to you (and who said it)?

If someone comes to your home to see what you have, they are not a friend. This was something my mum used to say to me when I was growing up. It has always helped me to accept people for what they are and always see the best in them. My mum was always full of wise comments and strength!

Who (for better or worse) has been the most influential person in your career? Why?

This is a really tough question as many people have been influential in my career. There are many that have taken the time to take me to one side, encouraged me and helped me with my professional journey (Jenny Rowe, the first CEO of the Supreme Court – taught me everything there is to know about Government Policy; Jessica De Grazia – helped me see my potential; Ann Curnow QC – taught me how to overcome challenges at the Bar; HHJ Anthony Leonard- taught me perseverance and developed my analytical skills; Duncan Atkinson QC and Annabel Darlow QC – taught me how to enjoy life as a barrister; Will Lewis – taught me being a good person counts for something… there are honestly so many people including my sons and husband but if pushed for one, it would have to be Robert Smith QC, he helped me to develop my lateral thinking, encouraged me to keep working hard, always made me smile even when presented with huge challenges and made me realise that being a good and honest practitioner really counts for something! He is without doubt the best mentor and friend that anyone could wish for.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get to where you are/do the job you do?

I think you have to be clear about what you can realistically achieve. For example I love singing but I can’t hold a note (it doesn’t stop me enjoying it). Always work hard, jump over the hurdles and focus on being happy in yourself. I think people underestimate how important it is to be positive and frankly at times, how hard it can be. We can always find negative things to focus on or problems that can’t be fixed.

However, I would encourage people to be clear and realistic about their aspirations. I think it is important to set yourself goals, surround yourself with good people, never underestimate the support your family and friends can give you (my husband and my sons have been instrumental in my success – always picked me up when things were not so good) and always work at being the very best practitioner you can be.

This may not feel like it counts for much at the beginning but if you keep doing it, hopefully your talent and ability cannot be ignored particularly by people who may feel more comfortable with you being in a particular pigeon hole.

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

She is running an award winning farm shop in the Cotswolds and being a fantastic mother to my godchildren William and Charlotte. She swapped City life fairly early in her career but she still has a razor sharp mind and plenty of things on her to-do list for life.