THE MAGIC BEYOND THE CIRCLE

Andrew Lika Trainee Solicitor Vardags

On 23rd November Cambridgeshire Law Society was delighted to host an event at the University of Cambridge Law Faculty to help show students what a career in law outside of London looks like.

We were honoured to have had on our panel Charlotte Vallins, Partner at Ashtons Legal specialising in Commercial Property; Anne Hogarth, Barrister at Fenners Chambers specialising in Crime, Family, and Property law; Kate Harris, Legal Director at Birketts LLP specialising in Contentious Trusts and Probate and Christina Hale, Senior Associate at FM Family Law specialising in Divorce and Family Law.

Many themes were explored during the evening, including the greater client contact lawyers felt in the regions from an early stage of their careers compared to in London; a collegiate feel in regional firms, surrounded by supportive colleagues who make you feel like a person, not simply a number; the flexibility and autonomy one can feel in a regional firm, which contributes to a positive work/life balance; better quality, more varied work in the regions with greater responsibility in cases earlier on in one’s career.

Charlotte Vallins spoke to the level of interaction with clients, which she described as fantastic. In London, juniors are often kept hidden behind the scenes, but in the regions she has experienced, and witnessed juniors having, the chance to communicate with clients, as well as with colleagues, at every level.

Anne Hogarth enjoyed the variation in her work, with Fenners being one of a few common law chambers left in the country, meaning they practise a wide variety of areas of law. While she represented someone who had walked into a tree a couple of months ago, this week she had been representing local authorities in care and placement orders. Her experience of Fenners was that she could talk to just about anyone. Whenever she needed help, she knew she would have somebody to turn to.

Kate Harris, like the rest of our panel, did not study law at university; but she loved the GDL and was taken in by the law shortly thereafter. The flexibility of working in the regions has allowed her to thrive in her career, while looking after two children, two horses, and a cat. Kate made it clear that in the regions you are not just a number; trainees are given good quality work from an early stage. It was also crucial that you are part of a community –in Cambridge, you can engage with the Cambridgeshire Law Society, you network with Cambridge lawyers, and you feel a part of something bigger than yourself.

Christina Hale loves being able to build a deeper connection of trust and confidence with her clients, which she considers to be especially important when dealing with families in their time of need. The autonomy over her working hours in a regional firm helps her to care for her own family, as a single mother of two children. Being a part of a regional firm has also allowed her to become part of the recruitment process and business development side of a law firm – something which makes Christina feel like an important and integral part of her firm.

The panel event was followed by networking with students meeting our panel and juniors from regional firms. We hope that the event was enlightening to students, and we look forward to arranging more outreach events with our partner universities in the New Year.

THE PANEL

CHRISTINA HALE

KATE HARRIS

ANNE HOGARTH

CHARLOTTE VALLINS