My 16 years at Minster Law

Sixteen years ago, after I completed my Master of Laws (LLM) degree, I joined Minster Law at the very start of my career. Since then, it has been a journey shaped by constant learning, new challenges and the support of people who helped me grow at every stage.

My first role was as an assistant to a fee earner working on fast-track personal injury claims which had arisen out of road traffic accidents. Whilst working in this quick pace environment, I gained an understanding of the fundamentals of the personal injury claims process and the basic soft skills in legal communication and dealing with clients.

Within six months, I became a trainee fee earner and put what I had learned into practice whilst being responsible for my own case load; further honing my skills. A year later, I was a fully-fledged fee earner with a larger case load and the added responsibility of managing my own assistant.

Following completion of a training programme, I crossed over to the ELPL (Employment Liability / Public Liability) department. This broadened my experience and introduced new challenges. In 2015, I joined the Complex Claims Unit and specialised in dealing with cases where an allegation of fraud or fundamental dishonesty had been raised by the defendant against our clients.

During this time, I developed strong technical expertise and became a subject matter specialist, delivering training to new starters for several years. I found these particularly interesting as they expanded my knowledge of liability (proving who is at fault) and causation (proving that that accident caused the injury and consequential losses) whilst also improving my knowledge and skills of litigation and conducting my own case management conference hearings. The complexity of these cases and the forensic analysis of evidence needed made every court victory and client settlement more rewarding.

Following qualification as a solicitor, I started dealing with serious injury claims and started receiving guidance from some of Minster Law’s best and brightest associate team leaders. Such investment paid dividends and I started dealing with even higher value claims in 2022.

In 2024, I undertook a secondment in a hybrid role combining fee‑earning responsibilities with training and mentoring paralegals. Alongside managing a reduced caseload, I supported the development of the paralegal community within the Serious Injury department, helping individuals reach their potential while enhancing our clients’ claim journey further.

Soon after, I was promoted to Associate Solicitor, taking on higher‑value claims and further strengthening my technical expertise. I then stepped into the role of Associate Team Leader, a position I had long aspired to.

As a Team Leader, I now have the opportunity to support others in their progression, sharing the knowledge and experience I have built over the years.

At the same time, I am expanding my leadership capabilities through Minster’s energising internal training programme and deepening my commercial awareness.

Being a Team Leader on Minster’s Intermediate Track Department places me at the forefront of the strategy and tactics of dealing with the new reality of fixed costs on cases whilst still delivering a great service to our clients have who suffered serious injury.

Over the years, I have seen the personal injury industry undergo several important changes, including the introduction of the low value claims portal, LASPO, the Enterprise Act, the introduction of fundamental dishonesty, expansion of the small claims portal, the introduction of the intermediate track and a ‘post-Mazur’ world to name a few.

Having seen Minster Law’s leadership team’s response to these challenges and adapting to these first hand, I am confident that Minster Law will be able to continue providing a great level of service to its clients and thrive in the future. It is a company I am devoted to and have no intention of leaving.

Just as my journey at Minster Law has shown, there is the opportunity for career progression and just as I have received help and support over the years from more senior members, I have been given the chance to help develop others.