On passing the letter to my husband he became very excited and animated, much to the amusement of my nine-year-old daughter. I opened the letter without my reading glasses and struggled to read what it said, but thought I saw the word ‘congratulations’. The day I received the letter informing me of my appointment was surreal. The thought would never have occurred to me. I had appeared before him in a complex family matter and he called my office to suggest I should apply. My application to be the first woman solicitor-advocate silk was made at the suggestion of a retired Supreme Court judge. When I went through the doors of the school and had my first lecture I knew I was where I should be. He made the call and was informed a cancellation had just been received – I started the following Monday. Her boss suggested I should also attend law school with my friend. I met with a friend who was attending law school the following Monday, having applied three years in advance. I had never considered becoming a solicitor or barrister, believing that was beyond my ability.Īn opportunity arose when I discovered I was being made redundant as the department was closing. I first became a trainee legal executive for a commercial practice in Fleet Street. I only realised the significance of that journey when discussing the day with my father, who was somewhat horrified to learn about it! Aged 14, I accompanied Charlie Kray to the Old Bailey. From an early age I often visited my mother’s office in Fleet Street, where she worked initially as a legal secretary and then as a legal executive. I was the unusual pupil whose parents were called into school because I was working too hard. I had a strong work ethos, which I absorbed from my parents, and attended a state grammar school. I wanted a career where I could potentially make a difference. I was born and brought up in an area where I witnessed social deprivation, crime and injustice.
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