Careers
A Pandemic perspective The Senior Partner and Newly Qualified’s Perspective from Rachael Heenan, Senior Partner, and Charlotte Lewczynski, Solicitor, both at Capsticks Solicitors LLP. Leadership during a pandemic Well this wasn’t in the job description, went through my mind as we watched the first Covid-19 press conference and decided immediately to move the whole firm to working from home. I wish I could tell you that my years of experience gave me a clear vision through what we should do, but like everyone else (no matter what they tell you) we were making it up as we went along, but with a tight knit SMT we knew we would be ok. Our strategy has always been to put our teams first and this was the forefront of our minds – in return we asked for support, flexibility and kindness to each other – something that comes in abundance at Capsticks. We have also not been afraid to be human ourselves – the last year has been tough on everyone and by acknowledging that internally I know it has helped others. We have always asked people to bring their whole selves to work but now we have the children, housemates and pets. Special mention to Ginger Rogers (feline) who steals the show at every firm meeting. Anyone dealing with personal issues, as most of us are (whether it be teenagers, elderly parents or just life), will need even more dedicated support at a time when people are feeling socially isolated and vulnerable about the future ahead. Like everyone we have had to be creative, daily emails (which people said replaced the PM’s press conferences), virtual client engagement, the dreaded zoom quizzes and get togethers, 121 time with people through different mediums whether it be whilst walking the dog, canoeing (yes) or a socially distanced coffee. We have also started Capsticks Connected where we get an interesting speaker to talk to the whole firm once a month so there is a sense of belonging and participating together. Speakers include I. Stephanie Boyce, Vice President of the Law Society and her brilliant story, Pat Sowa talking about the loss of her son and suicide awareness, clinicians talking about their roles during the pandemic, Dr Nicola Rollock for Black History Month and many more planned – the more varied the better. I think we have all now accepted that this way of working is going to be the future for a long time so our thoughts have to turn to our longer term career development and succession planning for the firm, particularly around our diversity and inclusion agenda where we still have a way to go. I’ve always been proud to work at Capsticks but even more so after this year. Every single person has played a huge part in helping clients and colleagues during the pandemic. What do they say: “You’re a product of your environment, surround yourself with the best.” Qualifying during a pandemic Since my first taste of work experience in a solicitor’s office, at age 15, I have dreamt about the day my name would appear on the roll of solicitors of England and Wales. I had pictured a day in the office, celebrating with the partners and team, lunching with my fellow NQs to raise a glass to our career milestone, and dinner with my family to celebrate the years of hard work that had led to this day. But, when it came around, it was certainly a lot different than planned! 26 | LegalWomen
Rachael Heenan
Charlotte Lewczynski
On Monday 16 March 2020 I had worked from home, as I often did on a Monday, not knowing that by that evening the firm would announce that with immediate effect everyone should permanently work from home until further notice. Congratulatory flowers sent by my parents to the office were re-directed to my house, soon followed by my ergonomic office chair, laptop and monitor all provided by the firm, to complete my new home office at the former dining table. The planned meal out with my family and friends that evening was limited to only a few attendees due to my father being taken ill with Covid-19 and the government announcing the closing of restaurants from Thursday 19 March. The journey to qualification has been shared with my family and friends, and to not be able to celebrate properly with all of them, due to something so alien and beyond our control, made the occasion extremely surreal. Luckily, almost five months to the day, we returned to the same restaurant with my parents and enjoyed a delayed, but equally joyous, celebration. Qualifying during Covid-19 has brought both professional and personal challenges. Every NQ has felt the excited nervousness that qualification brings, however the standard challenges I had prepared myself for felt more daunting due to the overarching newness of the pandemic environment. I do feel fortunate to work for such a forward-thinking firm which contributed to a seamless transition to working from home full-time, meaning this was one less adaptation to feel overwhelmed by during this new phase of my career. Nonetheless, just as how going into Tesco and finding that an empty pasta shelf felt unsettling, the feeling of being given my first matter with no one sat either side to discuss queries with felt incredibly challenging. These worries were alleviated somewhat by the daily emails received from the firm’s management team, which included breakdowns of the government guidelines as well as tips on navigating the lockdown and little pick-me-up anecdotes for those more difficult days. I am also extremely lucky to work at a firm where I feel comfortable picking up the phone to my supervisors and colleagues to ask for help with a query, even though it feels a lot more invasive to call someone and potentially disturb them for something that, in person, would have been no more than a 30 second conversation. In addition, I have really appreciated the calls and emails I have been receiving from partners and colleagues, checking in on how I am getting on and offering their advice and support whenever I need it. A real challenge has been taking on new projects without the opportunity to meet the client directly, or sit with my colleagues, to discuss the structure and objectives, and I have had to throw myself into some aspects of my career that I would ordinarily have taken more steadily. I am, however, appreciative that Covid-19 has given me the opportunity work more independently, build my confidence and find more time in my day to research points of law which are new to me. I do believe that I have become and will continue to be a better lawyer for having overcome these extraordinary challenges. ■
