Name: Suzanne Liversidge
Firm: Kennedys Law
Role: Global managing partner
Trained at: DLA
Year qualified: 1993
What’s your most vivid memory from being a trainee?
The transition from student, ie. getting up so early and having to wear a suit! We had a great collegiate group of trainees so we managed to have fun which made Friday mornings challenging… but some of my best friendships were formed then! A senior partner was also very posh and I thought for years he called me Fiona until someone told me he was actually calling me fee earner!
What is the wisest thing anyone ever said to you (and who said it)?
Be yourself. People will only trust you when they see you are genuine. My grandmother’s wise words.
Who (for better or worse) has been the most influential person in your career?
My favourite client, who at an early stage of my career supported me in my new ventures and made my impossible, possible. I will always be grateful that they believed in me and took a leap of faith.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get to where you are/do the job you do?
Be authentic and lead without ego, take yourself out of your comfort zone, hire better people than you, listen actively and challenge wisely.
What’s your best friend from law school doing now?
He has set his own law firm up, is happy and thriving. We still meet and keep in touch. The power of social media!
