A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF: ELSPETH KINDER, HEAD OF FAMILY LAW AT JMW SOLICITORS
“I love that back-to-school feeling that comes in September! Monday is my first day back after the most incredible two weeks on a fly drive around California with my boys. We enjoyed e-biking in San Francisco, hiking in Yosemite, sunset at Pismo, and kayaking in Morro Bay. But now it’s back to reality, with 34 eager trainee solicitors to spend 2 days with on their induction to JMW. As Training Principal for the firm, I oversee the training and development of all our trainees who now total 79 in number. It’s a privilege to support them all through their journey and seeing them start on their first day in new suits and with first day nerves always makes me smile. It’s a long first day with a drinks event at Sunset, where the chat ranges from environment and social governance policy, to what to wear and whether people “cop off” at the Christmas party! I finally get home around 8.30 pm, feeling relieved that Ollie chose Food Tech for one of his GCSEs and has held the fort on dinner given the contents of my fridge are still only milk, mayo, white wine, gherkins and a half-eaten block of cheese that I should have chucked out before the holiday!
Tuesday is a blur of trainees and clients. There seem to have been a lot of disputes I’ve had to advise on about children splitting their time between homes of separated parents over the summer, with tensions perhaps frayed because of the pressure that juggling work and kids during the school holidays can bring.
On Wednesday I spend the day at St Ann’s Hospice with my Vistage group. Vistage is a global executive coaching organisation for small and medium sized businesses and is a brilliant opportunity to step back from the day job and think about ways to develop and improve. I love spending time with my group, they’re like a professional family and they completely understand the reality of trying to balance life and work. They’re supportive and laugh as I explain why I’ve arrived an hour late, due to William phoning me in a panic having forgotten his PE kit. “Don’t worry at all chicken, it’s absolutely no problem for me to [get stuck behind nightmare traffic, eat my breakfast in the car, dial into a conference call on the journey] bring your PE kit”!!
The highlight of Thursday is catching up with Lolo at The Ivy. We’ve been planning to enjoy lunch and a glass of wine together for longer than I can remember but finally our diaries are in sync. It’s lovely to catch up and share stories of our summer, whilst brainstorming for Brood. I love working with Lolo and the guys, they make partnership together so easy, enjoyable and fun! From there, I dash to meet with a client, and we have a really productive meeting strategizing how to secure the best financial outcome from his divorce.
The week ends with a day at Haydock Races, hosting contacts in a box with other colleagues from my team. We are blessed with glorious sunshine! I’m never interested in the horses, but I love the easy, relaxed vibe of a day at the races. Not a bad first week back!
Elspeth Kinder, JMW Law
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