Careers

What is your background?

I grew up in a small village in Lincolnshire and attended the local comprehensive school. After studying Law with French at Sheffield University, I trained in London with Richards Butler. I had no experience of shipping or commodities, but shipping was my first seat as a trainee and found that I enjoyed it. I stayed with Richards Butler, which then merged into Reed Smith, qualifying into the commodities team. Following a couple of secondments in trading companies, I moved into a permanent in-house role at Trafigura, where I covered a full range of legal issues across the globe.

What was your route to Mills & Co?

I learned during those two years that I preferred private practice and being able to focus on commodities and shipping issues. I also wanted a better work-life balance and to be outside of London. This is what brought me to Mills & Co in 2010. Since then, life in Newcastle and at Mills & Co has exceeded expectations. We are fortunate to have high quality work from a broad range of clients across the world, which we can practice from an office that is only a short commute from leafy areas and not far from the beautiful Northumberland coast and countryside.

What is the key ingredient to Mills & Co’s success?

For Mills & Co, recruitment is key. Without our team of talented solicitors, our firm would not be what it is today. The work we do involves advising on the law in a very technical, practical and commercial setting. Solicitors at Mills & Co need to possess the skills to do that, whilst delivering the advice to, and building relationships with, clients from different backgrounds, countries and organisations. We therefore aim to recruit lawyers (and lawyers-to-be) with strong academics, an interest in shipping and a commitment to the North East of England. If you think you fit that bill, we would be interested to hear from you.