Back in 2012, I was completing my Legal Practice Course and planning to travel before starting work. The trip was going to be a long one, it was going to start with a few places in Europe before I went the long way home via Australia, New Zealand and America. However, just as I was finalising my plans, a role at Addleshaw Goddard came up and it seemed like an opportunity that was too good to pass up.

I joined AG as a paralegal, working in the Transaction Services Team before being seconded into the Finance Team. I went from being a junior Paralegal to a senior Paralegal, from there I became a Trainee, qualified and went on to become an Associate, and then Managing Associate, which is the role I do now.

Addleshaw Goddard has a very supportive environment and throughout the last decade the firm has created lots of opportunities for me to move forward. Every time I wanted to make my next career step, people would tell me what I needed to achieve in order to make it, and they would also say how they’d help me get there.

I never expected to be in the same business for 10+ years, but having done so I can see some really obvious benefits. Nearly fourteen years into life at AG, I can say that I know our business very well, I understand how it operates and I have built a network of relationships across the firm. It has also been noted that my lunch portion at the canteen is bigger than everyone else’s, but I couldn’t possibly comment on that.

If I were to give advice to someone who is starting life at AG then I would encourage them to take opportunities when they present themselves. Even if you might think it’s not for you, at least try it out. 

When I took the secondment into the Finance team all those years ago, it opened a lot of doors. It allowed me to form key relationships with the right people and it ultimately helped me get my training contract. I still work in the team and those people have helped me progress to where I am now.

I also think it’s important to work hard in the early years. Obviously that’s a requirement throughout life in this profession, but if you're ambitious, don’t wait to show how good you are. 

I still have no intention of leaving the firm, I still want to be here for the next ten years of my career. My next step is hopefully to become a Partner when the time is right, maybe then I’ll take that trip around the world.