In the latest of our team profiles, we catch up with her to find out more.
Why law?
I’m an Agatha Christie fan and I read all her books as a teen. I knew I wanted to do something with the law and did also consider a career in the police, ideally as a detective. Unfortunately, feedback from a careers adviser at school put me off applying to study law at university, and I got a space at the University of Strathclyde to study history and politics instead.
One week in, I knew it wasn’t the course for me, and because I had the grades to study law, I knocked on the door of the law school to see if I could join. They liked how keen I was, but there wasn’t a space, so they told me to come back next year.
Then, a few days later, I had a phone call to say someone had dropped out of the course and I could start immediately. I’ll never forget how delighted I was when I got the call.
What do you like best about your job?
The same things that appealed to me when I was starting out still do. I like meeting new clients, learning their story and what issues they have. I like starting with a blank canvas — much like Miss Marple when she receives a letter with a new case to solve.
And the best part, of course, is when I can reach a resolution that they’re pleased with within a reasonable time, and at a reasonable cost.
What do you do when you’re not working?
Working full time and having two boys at primary school who enjoy judo, swimming, shinty and football, I don’t get much chance for hobbies. If I can manage it, I cycle at the weekend and I recently enrolled in an online training course for a make-up artist diploma. Purely for my own benefit, and, no-one need worry, I won’t be practising on anyone else!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Naturally this comes from my mum. She gives me great advice (whether I ask for it or not!) “Take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.”
Not sure I always follow the first part, but I’m working on it!
