Share an experience or challenge that has shaped you? My dad’s career in the British Army meant we moved frequently during my childhood, shaping who I am today. One of the most memorable occasions was staying in the Ambassador’s residence in Marrakesh. Travelling widely and meeting people from all walks of life gave me both a love of travel and an ability to connect and empathise with others. Studying Sociology at A-Level developed this further, helping me understand how people and societies work—knowledge that inspired and guided my career choices.

Early in my career, some challenging experiences strengthened my resilience and highlighted the importance of supportive, collaborative workplaces. This has shaped how I engage not only with clients but also with colleagues.

Best piece of advice you have ever been given? Shortly after having my first child, a friend told me ‘Everything’s a phase’. This is true of motherhood, but also life.

I often remind my clients of this, when they are going through the toughest of times. While it is just a phase, and it won’t be like this forever, the decisions made in these moments in divorce last a lifetime, so it’s important to remain strong and calm in your

decision-making process, even when things seem impossibly hard, and the temptation is to rush to get that particular phase over and done with

What advice would you give to your younger self or a woman just starting her career? To remain open to learning and new ways of working and find firms that support this. Family Law has seen a seismic shift over the course of my career, with increased focus on non-court dispute resolution. Not all firms are supportive of this way of working as profit tends to be less, so it’s crucial to do your homework and try as best you can to establish if that workplace is the best one for you and aligns with your values.

Being open to change and embracing the benefits this can bring, whatever your career path, ensures you are always developing and retaining your edge. I recently trained as a Collaborative Lawyer to ensure my practice continues to evolve. Focus too on emotional resilience and calm, which will stand you in good stead for all aspects of life and work.

What does success mean to you? Success at work is being able to arrive at solutions that no-one felt possible at the start of the process. By learning from clients and using all the approaches available to us as family lawyers and mediators we are often able to work together to deescalate confrontational situations and arrive at amicable separations that are fair and equitable.

Success personally is about balance, and carving out time for a career I love, as well as quality time for myself and with family and friends. I’m lucky to have found that balance for the most part and embrace the fact that things keep evolving as life changes.

How do you handle challenges and changes? What's in your toolkit? I work well under pressure and, as you would expect from a family solicitor and mediator, have a calm approach even in adverse situations. Solicitors are natural problem-solvers, so I find it helpful to step back and look at all aspects of a problem before working through possible solutions.

Exercise and meditation and my work and home life being (mostly!) in balance are key tools in my toolkit.

Why is it important to support women in business and women-led business? I’m passionate about supporting women to navigate the challenges of balancing all aspects of life with a career. Everyone is different and things evolve over time, whether juggling fertility, children, school commitments, aging parents, bereavement, menopause, illness – it can be intense at times.

In moments of triumph and challenge in my life, having a strong network around me has always been a source of strength and I want to pay that forward.