How long have you been involved with Resolution?
My involvement with Resolution goes back nearly two decades.
What committees do you sit on?
The National Committee since election in May 2024.
Why did you get involved with Resolution?
Resolution’s values are incredibly close to my heart and central to how I work. I joined the organisation early in my career as a YRes member and then went on to form National YRes. It is with immense pride that I can say YRes now has over 1,500 members. Over the years, I have developed close working relationships with my peers, which in turn has helped me to resolve cases in an amicable and constructive way.
How have you benefitted from being a member of Resolution?
Apart from building long-lasting professional relationships with peers, being a member of Resolution has enabled me to develop my marketing and networking skills. I have also benefitted from the many positive effects of professional seminars, guidance and talks, alongside helpful webinars and podcasts.
Why did you choose family practice?
I have always been a people person and enjoy finding solutions to difficult problems. Being able to help people when they are at their lowest by achieving a fair settlement is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.
How do you keep a good work/life balance and look after your wellbeing?
I love playing golf! It is one of my favourite pastimes and it brings me a great deal of pleasure. When I’m on the golf course, the only thing that I need to think about is that little golf ball and getting it in the hole! For those few hours each week, the pressures of day-to-day work disappear and there is no better feeling.
What are you most proud of in your career?
I feel very lucky to have worked with so many good lawyers and positive people in my life. This has enabled me to develop personally and professionally. My proudest moment is being appointed as Managing Partner of my firm, The International Family Law Group, a few years ago at the age of 41. I am very driven and it makes me proud each day to see my team go from strength to strength by supporting each other and securing excellent outcomes for clients. I have developed leadership skills and an insight into the challenges our profession faces, which has helpful me to develop as a lawyer. Being MP is a tough job, but one that I relish.
What piece of advice would you give someone starting out in family practice?
Don’t give up, keep positive and be kind. It is a tough job but such a rewarding one. Networking – and starting this at grass roots level – is also very important. It is such a key part of what we do and helps with the future generation of business and contacts, so it is good to start this early!
If you were not a family lawyer, what would you be doing?
Playing golf professionally – if I was good enough of course!
What do you think have been the biggest changes in family practice/the family justice system since you started out?
One of the biggest changes I have seen over the years has been the ongoing digitalisation of the family justice system. Gone are the days where paper applications were issued and dealt with manually or indeed paper bundles were lodged at Court. The increase in remote hearings since Covid has also been a welcome change to the system and the way we work. Slowly but surely, our system is becoming more streamlined and efficient.
What’s the one Resolution resource/service/achievement that you want everyone to know about?
YRes, and the importance of getting involved at an early stage in your career. When I first qualified as a solicitor, YRes was an invaluable way for me to meet junior lawyers and build professional relationships with them. It helped to improve my networking skills and give me confidence. Fundamentally, these are the people that I have cases against regularly now and we are able to reach amicable and constructive settlements for clients because of the pre-existing professional relationships.
What can’t you live without?
My family. My dog, Mylo the Maltipoo, and golf!
First published in Resolution The Review Issue 231
Lucy Loizou
[email protected]
The International Family Law Group LLP
www.iflg.uk.com
© August 2024
