International Women's Day 2022: Jenny Colvin Interview

Continuing with our celebration of our female employees during National Careers Week and International Women’s Day today, 8^th March, today we are interviewing Jenny Colvin, who is passionate about everyone having access to the legal profession, no matter their age, gender, background, race or education. 

Jenny initially joined our Commercial Property team in Portsmouth in 2016 before being promoted quickly to Associate in 2017 and Partner in 2019.  Jenny followed the path of becoming a Chartered Legal Executive, and here explains more about her career so far.

1). What first attracted you to a career in the law?

I fell into law completely by accident! I started as a temp, working as a secretary in a Commercial Property department for a large regional firm. I used to take the legal temp jobs as they paid better;  I knew nothing about the law in reality! This firm offered me a full time job, but I knew at that point that I didn’t want to be a secretary any more as I’d been looking for a fresh start and a career path with something more to get my teeth into; I just had no idea what that was!

However, when I explained this, they then asked me if I’d ever thought about being a lawyer, and told me about the ILEX (as they were then) qualifications. They offered to put me through those exams so I could qualify as a Lawyer. I still had no idea what I was getting into but I have two very close friends who were looking for training contracts around the same time, and I knew that opportunities like this didn’t get handed to you every day, and so I jumped at the chance. I will always be grateful to them for seeing something in me that I never would have realised myself.

2). Why did you choose the path you did?

I was lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to study through CILEx. I am not a university graduate and didn’t think ‘proper’ jobs like being a lawyer were open to people like me, so it was an excellent opportunity to study whilst working full time.

3). How has Warner Goodman supported you in achieving your career goals?

Warner Goodman have been fantastically supportive. The legal profession still harbours a lot of snobbery and sometimes CILEx qualified lawyers can be treated differently to solicitors, be it through equal pay, chances for promotion or in the type of work or clients they are allowed to handle; something I have actively and vocally spoken out about throughout my career in other firms. Warner Goodman look at the individual and their abilities rather than just the letters after their name and have never once treated me differently; in fact they have encouraged me every step of the way to apply for promotion and realise my potential. The fact that I am a working mum and work part-time has also not held me back here.

4). What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Being promoted to partner at Warner Goodman, for sure!

5). Would you recommend Warner Goodman as an employer to others and why?  What aspects make WG a female friendly firm?

I would definitely recommend Warner Goodman as an employer. They support part-time working with a genuine work/life balance, which often only works on paper rather than in real life in our profession. They strive to recognise the potential of all their employees, and to help further the careers of our junior staff to help them become the partners of the future potentially!

6). Do you have any further comment to add?

Women working in this profession, particularly in the commercial sector, have often found this much talked about “glass ceiling” on their career should they decide to have a family. Many have to return to work much sooner than they would like and to more hours than they are comfortable with, either to pay the bills or simply so as to not get left behind by their colleagues. It was often thought that you simply couldn’t be a lawyer of repute and work part-time, and certainly not be at the top of your game if you do. Warner Goodman have always been far more forward thinking and inclusive than some substantially bigger firms and shown that this is absolutely not the case. I am very proud to work for a firm that understands that it possible to give exceptional client care and legal advice without selling your soul to a corporate machine.

If you are considering a career in the law and would like to find out more about working at Warner Goodman LLP, you can read more on our Careers page, or email recruitment@warnergoodman.co.uk.