Margaret Simpson Silk Family Law
What were your career ambitions growing up?
I always thought I would be a doctor but I soon found out that my strengths were in the arts rather than the sciences and I therefore pursued a career in law.
Tell us about your current role and what you most enjoy.
I am a specialist family law solicitor dealing with all aspects of family law but mainly matrimonial finance. I really enjoy working on high-value and complex cases which have the greatest intellectual challenge. I love making sense of chaos and helping to put clients’ lives back together again.
What is your proudest business achievement?
Without doubt, being a co-founder of Silk Family Law – recognised in Legal 500 as an ‘outstanding family team’. We provide a national service at regional prices. Increasingly, our clients are realising that proximity is largely irrelevant. Although we have a very strong following in the north of England, we attract work from all over the UK and are frequently up against the London based specialists.
How has your industry evolved in the last decade and what changes do you see in the next decade?
There have been many changes recently. One of the most important has been the introduction of the ‘no fault’ regime in divorce proceedings – avoiding tensions and hostility which existed under the old law when we often had to rely upon allegations of adultery or unreasonable behaviour.
I very much hope that within the next decade the law relating to cohabitation is changed so as to provide cohabitees with fair and appropriate protection. So many people enter into long-standing cohabiting relationships, buying property together, having children together and making joint decisions regarding the compromise of one of the partners careers. Yet, in the event that the relationship breaks down, there is no protection for the financially weaker party. A change to the law relating to cohabitees is long overdue.
What are you currently working on?
A number of complex and interesting cases involving generational farms, pre-owned assets, trusts, Nuptial Agreements.
We have a constant source of new work. Each of our clients is valued. The solicitor/client relationship is extremely close and very demanding. It is a privilege to work with people during such difficult and often emotional times in their lives.
Tell us about the team you work with.
All of the team (Partners, Associates, Solicitors, Paralegals and all support staff) are astonishingly good. Silk Family Law has an excellent reputation as a specialist family firm and the staff know that they have an opportunity to learn and progress with proper encouragement and support.
We all rely heavily upon each other. We work collegiately, mindful always of the needs of the client and to ensure that client care is at the heart of all that we do.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Throughout my professional career I have worked on the basis that first and foremost, we are a profession. Although we are a business needing to generate an income and collect fees, our professional obligations to our clients must not and cannot be compromised. It is imperative that the needs of the client must always come first and we have to be mindful always of opportunities for reaching a settlement in a cost efficient and proportionate way.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully as busy and as fulfilled as I am now.
Who would be your four ideal dinner guests, alive or dead?
Any of my old Yorkshire friends who have been so welcoming and kind since my husband and I moved to North Yorkshire from London some 30 plus years ago. However, if I had to choose, without doubt I would choose my husband of 38 years, Lady Brenda Hale, Joni Mitchell and Winston Churchill.
How do you unwind outside of work?
Long dog walks with friends in the Yorkshire countryside.
Favourite Book and Boxset?
Any of Kent Haruf’s novels. If I had to choose only one it would be ‘Plainsong’. Boxset – that is very difficult although Gavin & Stacey always makes me laugh!