Emma Canham - Solicitor, Jacksons Law Firm
What were your career ambitions growing up?
I think I’ve always wanted to be a solicitor. There’s nothing else I’ve really wanted to be from when I was asked in High School. I asked my parents about it and they said, ‘this is a good, stable career’. Criminal law has always interested me as well, so I did start off working in criminal law. If I hadn’t been a solicitor I would probably have been a policewoman. It hasn’t been an easy journey – I graduated in 2010 and had a really good mentor, Paul Hanratty, who helped me get to where I wanted to be.
Tell us about your current role and what do you most enjoy?
I’m an associate solicitor now at Jacksons in the family team and I enjoy the client contact I have. I’m a personable person and getting to speak to clients every day and going through their case is great – and it’s different every day. You don’t really get two cases the same, so you’re constantly coming across new challenges and learning new things.
What is your proudest business achievement?
It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific achievement. A lot of them are around outcomes for clients. If you’ve had a particularly difficult case and you’ve reached a good outcome for your client, it’s a good feeling. Also, being made an associate at the end of last year was quite a highlight. It’s nice to know that Jacksons recognise your loyalty to the firm and that you’re doing a good job.
How has your industry evolved in the last decade and what changes do you see in the next decade?
The industry has evolved quite a lot in the past decade. In terms of family law, we now have same-sex marriage, and those marriages can also end in divorce. The age for marriage has also changed. [Last April, it was raised to 18 from 16 or 17 with parental consent]. The no-fault divorce has also come into effect recently, so you don’t have to point the finger or blame the other party if you want to get divorced. It is making it easier for couples to divorce without hostility. There are campaigns to change the laws for cohabiting couples who separate. Many think that there is a such a thing as a “common law spouse” and that they are entitled to the same financially as if they were married. This is not the case and it can leave many people struggling financially upon separation. I can imagine there will be many more changes in the next decade. I think family law will continue to evolve and keep everyone on their toes!
What are you currently working on?
We have a vast number of cases ranging from divorce and finance involving high net worth individuals, to non-molestation orders, pre and post-nuptial agreements and a lot of cases involving children. There is a huge variety of cases we are working on across our family department.
Tell us about the team you work with?
We have got a great team. I work with Christine McVay in the Newcastle office and she’s excellent and very experienced. She’s got a great reputation. It’s also good working with Katy Moody in our Stockton office. We are a close-knit team and call each other often to discuss cases. It’s great if there’s anything you need advice on or you want a second opinion.
What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?
Don’t give up! Keep believing in yourself! It’s not been an easy journey to get to where I am today. When I graduated in 2010 there weren’t many training contracts and I started as a legal secretary and eventually after a few years of being a paralegal and a police station representative I managed to get a training contract, so I’m pleased that I didn’t give up!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Hopefully, I will still be here at Jacksons and I still think I will be working in family law. I’ve got a little boy who’s three now so he will be a teenager!
Who would be your four ideal dinner guests, alive or dead?
I had to give this a lot of thought! Freddie Mercury and George Michael would be on my list – how amazing would that be!? I think they are both music legends and growing up, my parents were huge fans of Queen. Lady Hale [Baroness Brenda Hale of Richmond] is also such an inspiring woman – she’s a well known name in family law who’s been involved in huge cases and I had the pleasure of briefly meeting her recently at a conference. I’d also invite Deborah Meaden, from Dragons’ Den. She’s an amazing and inspiring businesswoman and she seems quite tough, but I can imagine she would be fun to have a conversation with.
How do you unwind outside of work?
I love horse riding. I used to own a horse but unfortunately, she had to be put down. I used to do dressage and show jumping. You can really unwind and let your mind relax when you’re out with horses. My little boy keeps me busy now most of the time and I enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Favourite book and boxset?
I love anything by Martina Cole – I love crime and thrillers and find her writing is brilliant. With box sets, I’m torn between Friends, as those series are always comforting or Prison Break! Both of those box sets are great and Matthew Perry, who sadly died recently, was considered for my top four dinner guests!
www.jacksons-law.com