A fresh perspective, a familiar firm: Why Rebecca Walker returned to Ledingham Chalmers

After spending almost two decades at Ledingham Chalmers, I stepped away from private practice to take on an in-house role, providing me with an invaluable opportunity to experience legal decision-making from a different perspective and deepen my understanding of what clients need from their advisers. 

Fast forward one year, I have rejoined the firm as Legal Director within the Commercial Litigation team, bringing more experience and a fresh perspective to the role.

Coming back to Ledingham Chalmers felt like the right next step for a number of reasons: the variety of work, the people and culture of the firm and the sense of connection that comes from working closely with clients based in the North East to name a few. Returning has also given me the opportunity to reflect on what I learned in-house, how that experience has shaped the way I work and what I want to bring to this next chapter at the firm.

Returning to Ledingham Chalmers

One of the things I missed most while working in-house was the variety of work that comes through our Commercial Litigation team. No two matters are quite the same, and the prospect of stepping back into a role that allows me to return to court and keep close to the cases and issues developing was particularly appealing to me. 

However, returning to the firm was more than the work itself. Having spent nearly 18 years at Ledingham Chalmers before moving to an in-house role, I had strong ties to the people, the culture and the supportive environment Ledingham Chalmers offers. 

The team works incredibly hard and there is a real commitment to delivering a high-quality output for our clients, while also fostering a positive place for people to work. Having experienced a different professional environment where teams work across a broad number of jurisdictions almost exclusively remotely, I came to realise how much I personally value being part of a close-knit, locally based team where colleagues are just a desk away.

The firm’s strong connection to the North East was another important factor in my decision to return. We work with many local businesses and clients, and there is something very rewarding about being able to see the impact of that work in the communities around you.

A fresh perspective

My time in-house gave me a valuable opportunity to see legal advice from a different perspective. Being part of a business and seeing firsthand how decisions are made has helped me better understand the wider commercial considerations clients have to balance alongside the legal position.

That experience has shaped the way I approach client work since returning to Ledingham Chalmers. While the legal detail remains important, clients ultimately need to understand what it means for their business and what they should do next. That means providing clear, practical advice around factors such as risk, cost and timescales, while considering the longer-term implications of any decision.

It has also reinforced for me how important it is for a firm to be adaptable in the way it works with clients. Some people want to meet face-to-face, while others are comfortable dealing with complex situations digitally. What matters is being responsive to those preferences while making sure clients still feel they can speak directly to someone when they need to. That personal connection Ledingham Chalmers has with its clients is something I have always valued.

A new role with wider responsibility

My new role as Legal Director remains focused on client work and the commercial litigation matters I have always enjoyed. The variety is one of the things I value most about the role, and even after more than 20 years in the profession, there is always something new to learn or a different challenge to work through. 

Alongside client work, the Legal Director role gives me the opportunity to take on wider areas of responsibility within the firm. I am particularly involved in training and development, including our Information Exchange, which brings together internal and external learning opportunities. 

I am also committed to supporting trainees through their development and assessment. That is an area I am especially excited about. Ledingham Chalmers has always placed a strong emphasis on giving trainees a broad and supportive start to their legal careers, with access to experienced colleagues and a wide variety of work. I really enjoy seeing people develop and thinking about how best to share the knowledge that exists across the firm. For me, it is about helping to build on that supportive environment and making sure new talent has the skills and guidance they need as they progress in the profession.

Embracing change and looking ahead

Looking ahead, I want to keep learning, continue strengthening the relationships we have with longstanding clients and make sure we are listening closely to what they need from us as legal advisers. 

I am also interested in how technology, particularly AI, can support the way we work. For me, it is about taking a considered approach and using it where it can genuinely improve efficiency and consistency, without losing the personal service and judgement that remain so important to clients. That balance is something I am keen to explore as my role develops.

There is plenty to look forward to in the next chapter of my career at Ledingham Chalmers. I am excited to continue working with our clients, contribute to the development of our people and play my part in the continued growth of the firm.

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Interested in joining the team at Ledingham Chalmers? Find out more about careers with us.