The Hot 100 career quiz: “I took weeks of golf lessons for a firm event… then never played”

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

What is the thing in your professional career that has terrified you or taken you out of your comfort zone the most?

Being asked by my banking litigation trainee supervisor to play at a corporate golf day for the firm’s largest banking client.  I’d never played golf before and I was the only female playing. All I can say is I enjoyed the wet and windy walk – even the caddy felt sorry for me at one point and gave me a ride!

A couple of years later I was then asked to join one of the firm’s corporate golf days. I booked myself in for weeks of lessons at a local club, bought the shoes, clubs and all the gear – then to be told the night before I wasn’t needed ! While perhaps golf was not ‘my thing’, what it did was give me exposure to networking from a very early stage. Something I encourage everyone at all levels to be doing and as one of our partners said to me as a junior ‘ the peers you have today will one day be the ones instructing you – so keep in touch with them ‘

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

“Just be you, believe in yourself and be the best that you can be”.  [my parents – during A levels ]

As first of a generation to even contemplate going to university, let alone want to study law, it was my parents that gave me the confidence and support to pursue a career in law and convincing me I was more than ‘good enough’.  Self-belief has underpinned much of my career journey and something I talk a lot to others about through mentoring and career conversations (particularly females where this can so often hold back career progression).

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

I am so proud to do the job I do and very honoured to hold the leadership and board positions at TLT.  For me, it has been about trying to make a difference through my work.  So the role I’ve played in clean energy and sustainability and driving forward meaningful action to tackle climate change through to our targets task force committee and ensuring diversity is a key pillar of our success. Being a lawyer means working hard.  Try to do something that you enjoy and are passionate about but also remember that our families need us too – so try to strike the right work / life balance.

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

We’re still best friends! We met on the first day of uni waiting nervously for our first lecture. Nicola is also a lawyer but taking a career break to spend more time with (being a taxi service for!) their three teenage children (our godchildren). Also godparents to our teenage daughter and from time to time a much needed gin buddy!