Kelly is a solicitor in the Serious and Catastrophic Injury team at Birchall Blackburn Law, and spends much of her time helping and representing spinal cord injured people. Based at the Manchester office, we recently met up for coffee to find out a bit more…….
Q: That’s not a local accent – you’re not from Manchester then?
I’m a Newcastle lass! I moved from Newcastle to Lancaster to study History at University and then moved to Manchester to do a law conversion course and my legal training. Shortly after passing all the relevant Law School Exams I started as a paralegal at Birchall Blackburn Law and love it there.
Q: How did you end up deciding to work for a law firm?
I really wanted a career that is all about helping others. I did some voluntary work for some legal companies whilst at school and really enjoyed it. So when I joined Birchall Blackburn Law back in 2010 I spent some time working on industrial disease cases – particularly asbestos and lung cancer. I have a natural inclination to help so moving into Serious and Catastrophic injury was just a natural progression. I really enjoy fighting for the rights of others, so I guess law is the right ‘home’ for me.
Q: It must be a hard and emotional area of law to work in day in and day out – how do you steel yourself?
You have to remember the reasons and the people you are doing it for. It’s not like a legal job. It really is about fundamentally helping people’s lives and also their families. It is a huge responsibility and you owe it to them to be the best you possibly can be, day in and day out. What we achieve makes such a difference in really difficult times – you just have to remember that whenever it gets stressful.
Q: Any unusual facts?
I designed the electronic breadboard system for use in a toy designed to aid learning for autistic children – it was a jigsaw of a scene from the Lion King and when the correct piece was placed in the picture, lights flashed!
Q: What’s your favourite food?
If I’m eating out it has to be good Italian steak! At home apparently I make a mean Chilli Con Carne!
Q: What music do you listen to?
House/Dance music; I love going to festivals. I went to TomorrowLand in Belgium last year – it was brilliant and such an experience – I ended up camping next to some Australians.
Q: Favourite book?
I’m currently reading the new Sherlock Holmes book, The House of Silk – in fact I’m a bit of a fan of all the Sherlock Holmes series.
Q: Any sports or hobbies?
I play netball for two teams in Manchester. I used to swim for Durham County and was the youngest to get the gold medal at the time – but I don’t hold that record any more! I’m currently learning how to ski.
Q: Who or what inspires you?
Anyone who gives up their own time to help other people achieve something they really think is beyond them. In history, it has to be Eleanor of Aquitaine – she was a powerful woman in the Medieval period, and wouldn’t be confined to her social boundaries – she dressed up as a man and went on the Crusades. I kind of see myself as a crusader for the rights of other people.
Q: Any big ambitions?
I’d like to organise something for a charity that they think is completely unachievable!
Q: What do you want to be remembered for?
For being determined to do something and then following it through. For being as good as my word.
Q: And finally…..since you are from Newcastle…..Ant or Dec?
Dec – who my fish is named after. There used to be two….but that’s another story!
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