University: University of Bristol
Degree: Law
Year of qualification: 2021
Position: Solicitor
Department: Tax
Pronouns: She/her

What attracted you to a career in law?

I enjoyed my law degree, but it was only after participating in vacation schemes that I knew I’d enjoy a career in law. I like that being a solicitor is challenging and offers an opportunity to learn continuously throughout your career.

How much work experience had you had? Why is it so important?

I think non-legal work experience is sometimes overlooked. During school and university, I had several part-time jobs. These allowed me to develop important skills that I’ve continued to build throughout my career.

Law in practice is very different to a law degree, so it’s important to find out at the beginning of your search whether it’s something that you’ll enjoy. Legal work experience isn’t essential for applications and isn't something law firms will necessarily look for. However, I found legal experience helpful in deciding whether this was the career for me and it also helped me to pick which firm I’d like to complete my training at.

I completed two vacation schemes during my second year of university. These were invaluable experiences and helped me understand the role of a trainee solicitor and how important a law firm's culture is. Completing a vacation scheme allows you to understand a firm’s culture in a way that reading a description on a website never will.

In addition to vacation schemes, there are several other opportunities, such as events, open days and virtual work experience, that allow individuals to gain insights into the firm and the work trainees complete.

What do you think made your application successful?

I spent time researching Macfarlanes to understand what the firm does and what it does differently to other firms. I knew when applying that Macfarlanes was a place I wanted to work and thought I’d work well in.

All law firms are different. Firms want to understand who you are and why you’re applying to work with them. If you’ve done your research, have a genuine interest in a firm and believe that you’d be an asset, it’ll show in your application. 

You must research the firms you wish to apply to as much as possible. Any applications I made were specific to the firm I was applying to, and I think this helped me progress to the next stage.

What do you wish you’d known about being a trainee before you started that you now do?

It’s OK to ask questions and you should always ask when you’re unsure. It’s the best way to learn. It’ll also stand you in good stead for understanding the bigger picture as well as the detail you’re working on.

Being inquisitive shows that you care about what you’re working on and may prompt a more senior lawyer to reevaluate something.

Please outline your area of expertise. What might you do in a typical day?

I work in the tax team and each day is different. I’m lucky that the Macfarlanes tax practice is one of the leading tax advisory practices in the UK. The work is varied but always interesting.

I advise companies, partnerships and individuals on a broad range of UK and cross-border tax matters. I’m currently working on a number of large group and international tax structuring and planning matters, as well as high-value tax disputes.

What do you most/least enjoy about your career and why?

I most enjoy learning new things. There’s always scope to keep learning in a career in law and that’s particularly true for a tax lawyer. It’s demanding but equally rewarding. 

What makes your firm stand out from the rest?

The two most important things: quality of the work and the people. Macfarlanes has a unique offering in terms of its technical excellence, which generates high-quality work and a collegiate working environment. For me, Macfarlanes is a friendly and ambitious firm, and those are two qualities that don’t always go hand in hand.

What skills/strengths do you need to be a successful solicitor?

Good interpersonal skills are a necessity. You must be able to build relationships with both colleagues and clients.

Analytical and critical thinking are also key skills. You need to be able to analyse complex legal issues and offer a solution that’s commercially attractive.

Other important strengths/skills include attention to detail, organisation and resilience.

What advice do you have for budding solicitors who are contemplating a career in law?

Make sure it’s genuinely what you want to do and you can articulate why you want to do it. A career in law takes dedication and hard work, and can be challenging.

Securing a training contract is competitive and you need to ensure that your application stands out.  

What diversity and inclusion initiatives does the firm have in place?

Macfarlanes is committed to fostering an inclusive culture throughout the firm. Diversity and inclusion initiatives are a key part of that commitment and are a priority for the firm. Initiatives include staff networks and reverse mentoring. There are many opportunities to be involved in networking and steering committees, both as a trainee and as a qualified lawyer.

Macfarlanes has a Partnership Targets Action Plan, which sets out how we plan to improve the representation of women and ethnic minority lawyers in the partnership as well as to continue to drive inclusion across the firm.

Does your department largely work independently, in support of another dept or is it routinely supported by other depts?

Our team works both independently and alongside other departments. I particularly enjoy working closely with our private client team to advise on tax issues for large privately owned businesses and family offices.

Describe the firm in three words.

Ambitious, friendly and supportive.

Where's your dream holiday destination?

I can’t pick one – Canada and Japan are both on my bucket list!