I qualified as a solicitor in 1993 having trained at a top 10 city of London law firm. I’ve specialised in Employment Law ever since.

But before I became a lawyer, I worked in California for a music publisher, in Australia in hospitality and in Hong Kong as a teacher. I’ve got a degree in Law and another degree in Management Science. Basically, I spent my twenties trying to work out what I wanted to do and where to do it. I did not actually become a lawyer until I was into my 30s.

The result of all this messing about is that by the time I became a lawyer I knew I really, really wanted to do it and I also brought real life experience to my practice. I hadn’t always simply been a solicitor. It brings empathy, communication skills and wider experience than most lawyers.

I’ve been a partner in some very large law firms, but I fell out of love with how big firms are greedy and all about squeezing the client for as many fees as possible. I became a lawyer to help clients, to solve their knotty legal problems and to earn a fair wage. My old firm was all about the money. On that basis, you’re not really a ‘professional’ any more, acting in your clients’ best interests. So I resigned.

I set up my own firm. I charge less than I used to, I work with clients I like and we act as a team. It’s great.

I get all of my work from referrals; either contacts of happy clients or other lawyers, HR consultants or accountants.