“I do the job to get justice for the most vulnerable in society”

I would love nothing more than to have to retrain because I wasn't needed. If that happened, it would mean all children with special education requirements were having their needs met. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening any time soon.

Early in my career, you could complete a case in six months, but now it takes over a year as the tribunals service is so busy. My biggest concern with these delays is what happens to the child during that extended time. We’re having to do more work to get interim provision in place.

The best part of my job comes when a case is over and I receive a picture of a child on their first day at school. One of the children I represented early in my career is now a father and engaged! It’s amazing to see the outcomes for the children and families I’ve represented.

It’s a privilege that parents entrust me to advocate for their child’s education. I’m a ‘distress purchase’. People don't hire me when they're happy, they come to me because something is going wrong. There’s a lot of pressure, but I do the job to get justice for the most vulnerable in society.

It’s important for me to share information that empowers families. There are parents who need help for their children but don’t have the funds for a solicitor. I run free advice clinics and webinars to support those families.

From the age of 16, all I ever wanted to do was help people and make a difference. I saw law as the best route to achieve this. Back then, TV shaped my perceptions of the legal world – particularly Ally McBeal. The dramatics of television court rooms appealed to me! The reality of my career is very different, but I wouldn’t change it.

I was initially interested in family law, but my outlook changed when I was a volunteer at the Disability Law Service. During my undergraduate degree and master’s, I would answer calls to the charity’s helpline. This gave me first-hand experience dealing with members of the public in distress. It also provided insight into disability discrimination, education, community care, employment and benefits law. I found it all so fascinating and rewarding.

I completed the bar course because I had always wanted to do the advocacy and courtroom work. I switched tracks when I was working as a legal casework assistant for the Disability Law Service. As a solicitor in education, I could work on cases from beginning to end and do the representation in tribunals – enabling the best of both worlds.

I have a vision impairment but was lucky to get fantastic support at school and university. It has always given me empathy and a drive to make a difference. I would never claim to understand what my clients are going through, because I’m not in their shoes. But my personal insight helps me appreciate what others might be experiencing.

I get a huge amount of professional pride when I’m involved in a case that changes the law. I have been fortunate to be involved in a number of reported cases over the years that have influenced the law in the Upper Tribunal, High Court and Court of Appeal. My recent MM v Greenwich (2024) case has provided useful guidance on mental capacity and how the First-tier Tribunal should address this. It also explored where the tribunal should provide recommendations on health and social care.

I win 90 to 95% of my cases and the secret to my success lies in preparing things properly. I always make sure I have everything lined up and organised so I can be thorough. The necessary evidence is key, along with thinking two steps ahead. A win for me is getting exactly what my client wants without compromise.

One of my favourite quotes is: “success is not the result of spontaneous combustion, first you must set yourself on fire”. I shared this quote by American humourist Arnold H. Glasow when I was head boy at high school during our leavers' ceremony, and it still resonates with me. You've got to drive yourself and believe in yourself, especially as a solicitor. Whatever experiences you face, good or bad – there is always a positive to take away.

Every time I win a case, I jump up from my desk and do a dance. It's quite amusing for my colleagues because we're in an open plan office. It’s good for the team to see that though – particularly junior staff. They need to have that passion too.

I’ve been fortunate that I’ve not faced any huge barriers in my career because of my disability. But it’s vital to ask for reasonable adjustments if you need them. If you are in an organisation that won't accommodate your needs, they are not the firm to work for.

Receiving a Legal Heroes award from the Law Society was a total shock. I was over the moon to get shortlisted. I felt humbled being alongside lawyers doing such great work. For little old me to win was a massive privilege.

I have accomplished a lot of the typical solicitor aspirations: I’m a partner, I’ve contributed to books and have ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK for several years. In the future, I’d like to do some part-time judiciary work, but I just want to continue doing what I do.

I would love to grow my team into the best education team in the country. Junior solicitors are our future. We’ve got to protect them, train them and make sure they're developing. I appreciate the people who trained me at the beginning of my career. It’s now my time to pay it back and develop the next generation.