In her own words: Sarah McCarthy
In every issue, we hear from a CILEX member about how they started out and their career journey. Sarah McCarthy tells her story
Sarah McCarthy was recently named Family Law Chartered Legal Executive of the Year at the Family Law Awards 2021.
Sarah left school at 16, intending to work with animals. It wasn’t long before she realised this wouldn’t provide her with the financial security she needed so she took a role as an office junior in a law firm. She worked her way up and is now a successful family law specialist in Hill Dickinson’s Liverpool office.
“When I was growing up, I had no intention of working in the law, my dream had always been to work with animals. I was far too squeamish to be a vet so when I left school after my GCSEs, I went to college to study for a qualification in animal care.
The course meant working four days a week in an animal rescue centre, which I absolutely adored. It was hard work and harrowing at times but very rewarding. Unfortunately, the pay was terrible and it soon became clear to me that if I ever wanted to leave home I would need a job that was better paid.
Starting out
No one I knew growing up went to university – it was understood that, after you finished school, you would go out to work. As a teenager, I was never encouraged to progress academically so studying for A Levels or a degree wasn’t something I felt able to do.
Instead, I took a job as an office junior at a high street solicitors’ firm. I progressed to receptionist, then to a job as secretary to a family law solicitor who left not long afterwards. It fell to me to finish off her files, which was stressful given my lack of experience and training.
I soon moved on, joining Cuff Roberts, a firm with a large family team where I worked as a legal secretary. It was a million miles from the everyday family work I was used to – this firm dealt with high-profile, high-value divorces and family disputes, often involving celebrities and footballers and their wives – I loved it.
The head of the family department saw something in me and suggested I study to become a legal executive. I resisted for quite some time, worried about whether I would be capable of qualifying and terrified of having to sit exams.
The deep end
Ultimately, after pressure from my boss and other team members, I gave in and began studying with CILEX in 2001. At the same time, I was promoted to fee-earner and thrown in at the deep end with my own case load.
Overnight I went from secretary to fee-earner and student. I was working full-time and studying in the evenings and at weekends. It was scary – I had never studied at that level before and found it difficult. I failed one of my exams the first-time round but I persisted.
In 2010, I successfully passed my CILEX exams, became a Chartered Legal Executive and never looked back.
"Family law suits me. I put people at ease and clients say they like the fact that I am down to earth"
Family law suits me. I put people at ease and clients say they like the fact that I am down to earth. I am dealing with people going through a very stressful and emotional time in their lives, so being able to relate to my clients is important.
When I won the Family Law Chartered Legal Executive of the Year award last year, I think it was down to the positive testimonies I received from clients, barristers and peers.
In 2016, I joined Hill Dickinson and in 2019 was promoted to senior Chartered Legal Executive. Partners in the firm have been hugely supportive and I have never felt that my status as a Chartered Legal Executive has been a barrier to career progression.
My role is no different from the solicitors within my team or the wider firm. Day to day I am responsible for supervising new team members as well as working on my own case load of children and divorce-related matters. I have new business targets and enjoy networking and building relationships inside and outside the firm.
It’s challenging to fit everything in – family law work is hard to source and your professional relationships, your reputation and word of mouth recommendations are vital.
Support and encouragement
I know that some CILEX practitioners have faced unequal treatment in their careers but this has not been my experience - colleagues have given me help and encouragement along the way. There are plenty of firms out there who really look after their staff, so if you aren’t happy where you are, maybe consider looking elsewhere.
Since joining Hill Dickinson, I have been consistently ranked as an expert in my field in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. The Liverpool family law community is small, we all know each other and refer work between us. I’m one of the few Chartered Legal Executives but have never felt any different from solicitors, nor am I treated as such.
I would like to continue to progress in my career – my next step will be to apply to become a legal director. Hill Dickinson is a great firm to work for and there is real potential to grow the family practice both in Liverpool and across our other UK offices.
Growing up, I would never have expected to come this far. I would encourage all CILEX members to seize opportunities presented to them. It can be really hard work but stick at it. There were times when I wanted to throw in the towel, but I persisted and am now somewhere I never dreamed I would be. I’m so glad I didn’t give up.”