University: University of Birmingham
Degree: Law
Year of qualification: 2007
Year made partner: 2016
Position: Partner
Department: Construction disputes

Was your goal always to make partner?

Ultimately, it was always my goal to become partner. I think it's good to have a long-term goal and a sense of where you want to get, even if the path to that objective meanders and isn’t entirely clear at the outset. That said, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing what I did – announcing this ambition to our now senior partner in the first week of my training contract.

How does the work you do as partner differ to the work you did as a senior associate?

One of the biggest shifts is relinquishing control of the of the day-to-day heavy lifting and embracing a broader, more strategic perspective. Trusting your team to fulfil their roles is crucial. There's often a transitional period where all new partners get that wrong and probably unintentionally irritate all the senior associates working with them on the files.

Another major change is the increased emphasis on aspects of the role that aren’t strictly legal advice. That might sound odd for a lawyer, but as you move from senior associate to partner, your responsibilities shift towards business development, building networks and ensuring a steady pipeline of work. It’s a mindset shift – recognising that a law firm is ultimately a business and strong commercial acumen is essential.

Please can you outline your area of expertise?

Beale & Co is an international specialist law firm. We specialise in construction, engineering, infrastructure and insurance matters. We have offices in London, Bristol, Dublin, Dubai, Glasgow and Toronto.

My area of expertise is construction disputes – it's amazing how specialised and niche this area can become. I’d say that the bulk of my work involves defending claims against contractors and design professionals.

What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of life as a lawyer?

The job is undoubtedly challenging, but for those of us who’ve done it for a long time, the challenges are part of the appeal. There’s no single challenge that stands out, but the most rewarding aspects fall into two categories. On the client-facing side, it’s incredibly fulfilling to resolve disputes that are critical to the survival of a client’s business. Seeing the relief on their faces when the ordeal is behind them is deeply rewarding. Internally, especially in my role as training partner, I find great satisfaction in watching trainees grow. While I haven’t yet seen someone progress from trainee to partner, many have reached senior associate level and seeing that development is a highlight of the role.

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

You need a strong work ethic – this profession is demanding and I’d be misleading aspiring lawyers if I said otherwise, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Resilience is key – things won’t always go your way and you’ll sometimes have to deliver difficult news to clients. It’s important to remember that you can’t win every case. Listening is another vital skill that’s often overlooked. Listen to your clients, your colleagues and even the opposing side. Wearing the partner badge doesn’t mean you’ll always make the right calls. Enthusiasm is also important. Clients respond to it – they want to see that their lawyers are passionate and invested in their issues. Junior team members look to partners for energy and inspiration too.

What advice do you have for aspiring partners? What are the things that the business will look for when creating partners?

First and foremost, you need to be technically strong. Legal expertise is the foundation of what we offer and that’s something you develop over time. Equally important is the ability to win work and build a network. I often remind our trainees that technical skill is essential, but without clients, even the best lawyers’ talents go unused. As a partner, you’re a leader in the business. You carry the responsibility for its success and for ensuring that everyone gets paid each month. I think that's a huge responsibility that sits on a partner's shoulders. 

Describe the firm in three words?

Hardworking, fun and honest.

What is the most important thing a candidate researching the firm should understand about it?

It's important to have an understanding of the firm, but that can go beyond the obvious. Most candidates will have reviewed our website and know what we do; they'll understand our internal infrastructure, where we have offices and the type of work we do.

A fascinating development I’ve seen among candidates now is that they’re researching the firm’s culture. They’re using LinkedIn to connect with people internally, which shows real initiative. Gone are the days when interviews were a one-way process. When I was a trainee, it was about proving I deserved a training contract. Now, it’s a two-way process – candidates are interviewing us as much as we’re interviewing them. Many are asking the question, is this the place I want to train, as opposed to us looking at them and saying, do you deserve a training contract?

What’s your desert island disc?

I have a very interesting taste in music and it depends entirely on my mood. For example, I like heavy metal when I’m in the gym (not everyone's cup of tea), but I also love drum and bass, garage, and hip-hop. Right now, I’d take When Youth Fades Away by Somebody’s Child, a band from Dublin. I suppose that's quite fitting – my youth faded away while I've been at Beale & Co – I started as a 23-year-old in 2005 and now I'm 43 in 2025.