Natalie Bird’s journey from sixteen-year old school-leaver in Margate to lawyer in the Highlands and Orkney Islands

Intersectionality

Natalie Bird’s journey from sixteen-year old school-leaver in Margate to lawyer in the Highlands and Orkney Islands

Natalie Bird

Growing up in what is known as ‘the most dangerous major town in Kent’ with the second highest child poverty rate in the South of England, it was never going to be a conventional route into the legal profession. Leaving school at 16 to get a job and earn money was the only option. Law degrees do not come cheap, so when I did finally save up enough money to get myself through University, I had to overcome my first hurdle – convincing a university to allow someone with no ‘A Levels’ to study with them. What followed was probably my first test in using my powers of persuasion – convincing a professor at the University of Kent to meet me face to face and give me a shot.

After completing my law degree, I was fortunate enough to obtain a scholarship from the Inner Temple who funded my place at the University of Law where I completed the Bar Vocational Course to become a Barrister.

It seemed inevitable that I would choose to practice in the criminal area of law. My upbringing was always going to shape someone who was non-judgmental. My career choice was a way of life. I wholeheartedly committed to the long hours, long commutes and hard work that came with the job. And I enjoyed every second of it.

My natural personality is of someone who cares. I care that we live in a democracy. I care that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I care about second chances.

It was when I was in my late twenties that I took a moment to reflect on how fortunate I was. My life could have been very different. I had married a commercial fisherman. A man who shared my lust for life. We chose to foster teenagers, a very particular kind of fostering scheme. We remanded young offenders. Young offenders were remanded to our care, rather than face imprisonment. I have strong opinions on children and prisons. It turns out I care about third, fourth and fifth chances too.

As my mid-thirties approached the decision to have children of our own was reached. I chose to cross qualify as a Solicitor to provide a more balanced work and home life. When our first child arrived, my natural need to care and protect reached a whole new level. I believe children should be children for as long as possible and I knew immediately that we needed to relocate. I have always viewed change as a positive thing and embraced it. The Scottish Highlands beckoned!!!

I cross qualified to practice as a Solicitor in Scotland. I now focus on guardianship, executries, trusts, wills and powers of attorney. I am a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. This area of law has allowed me to find a new way to continue to protect, whether it be protecting those who have lost capacity, or protecting those who are no longer with us and cannot speak for themselves.

I live on the far north coast, with stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains and remote fishing villages. It is a wild but beautiful location with truly spectacular scenery. My half hour drive to work follows part of the North Coast 500, a route many people choose to visit as a holiday. My firm’s head office is on the Orkney Islands, so when I am not having my usual drive, I am often taking the ferry to Orkney instead.

So, in my mid-forties, I find myself again, taking a moment to reflect on how fortunate I am. My 5-year-old daughter has four children in her class at school, and my 8-year-old son has five in his class. They are truly free, albeit slightly wild. I’ve found an area of law that allows my beliefs and passions to be at the fore.

Natalie Bird

Barrister (England and Wales), Solicitor (Scotland) Director, www.DandHlaw.co.uk

Natalie’s drive to work on the North Coast 500, Scotland.