In her own words: Sally Sargesson

In the latest in our series of interviews with CILEX members, we spoke to Irwin Mitchell’s Sally Sargesson about her passion for diversity and inclusion, moving from personal injury to costs law, and winning her Inspirational Women in Law award

I left school with good GCSEs and A-Levels but at that time I wasn’t sure what I wanted to for a career, so I decided to study English at university. English was my favourite subject and I felt it would keep my options open when it came to my future career. After I graduated, I still wasn’t sure what to do next and considered both teaching and law.

I saw a job advertised at Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office – the firm’s personal injury (PI) department was looking for a legal clerk. Although I didn’t know exactly what the role would involve, I was interested in the type of work the firm specialised in and was looking for a career rather than just a job, so I applied.

I got the job and that’s where it all started. The firm gave me some great training and soon after I was running my own caseload. I really enjoyed the work, so when I was told about a new CILEX training programme being run from Irwin Mitchell’s offices, I was in no doubt that I should take the opportunity and go for it.

Tutors came to our offices twice a week and I studied whilst working full-time. There were around 12 of us on the course from different departments across the firm’s PI, family and conveyancing practices, all at different stages of our careers.

Everyone was so enthusiastic about their studies – it was a really great group and we had some fantastic tutors. I was working on fast-track motor accident claims at the time, handling my own caseload and attending court. I was able to build on this experience while qualifying, one of the important advantages of the CILEX route into law.

It was hard work but I really enjoyed it. Four years later I was qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive. The qualification gave me a real advantage. It increased my confidence in my abilities, helped me build my knowledge and expertise, and improved my advocacy skills, an area I continued to develop.

Career change

I spent 15 years in personal injury but, as the market began to change, I started reconsidering my options. In 2013, following recommendations made in the Jackson review, new costs budgeting rules were introduced and a friend who already worked in costs explained to me that there were new opportunities at the firm for those interested in transferring into the area. I hadn’t considered it before and was keen to try something new.

“I spent 15 years in personal injury but, as the market began to change, I started reconsidering my options” 

Moving into costs was good decision for me. I love the variety of the work and the opportunity to get involved in providing specialist advice across all areas of the business. I thrive when I’m getting to grips with technical arguments, new Civil Procedure Rules developments and case law – costs budgeting is ever evolving so the work is dynamic and challenging. I also continue to develop my advocacy practice, attending case management conferences across the region. My years in court as a PI lawyer have really paid off.

The costs team at Irwin Mitchell is the largest in the country – the culture is great and the team leads the market with both their expertise and innovation. We have a really supportive senior leadership team who recognise and nurture talent whilst maintaining excellent client service.

I lead the costs budgeting team and am proud to say that we are real experts in our field. The majority are qualified or working towards a qualification, two are CILEX lawyers. We have four advocates and a team of strong negotiators.

We are entirely litigation based and part of my role is implementing new technologies and strategies to ensure that we remain at the forefront of industry standards.

Dedicated to diversity

I’ve always been very passionate about diversity and inclusion – my degree dissertation subject was the was power of feminine language. In 2008, Irwin Mitchell formed a board dedicated to diversity and inclusion, and a number of specialist networks were created to empower colleagues and encourage inclusion.

IM Powered, a gender equality group, was created and led by partner Alison Eddy and my managing partner at the time suggested I put myself forward for regional head. I now co-chair the group nationally with my colleague, Hayley Hill. The network has worked consistently to break down the barriers to career advancement for women and Irwin Mitchell is the only top 50 UK law firm where over 50% of our partners are women.

The network has achieved a huge amount, including creating a lone working policy aimed at safeguarding women’s safety in the workplace, and a domestic abuse policy that included training provided by the charity Women’s Aid, which was spearheaded by my fellow CILEX Lawyer, Fern Joyce.

I was proud to win the Inspirational Women in Law, CILEX Lawyer of the Year award. I was commended for my exceptional talent, dedication and commitment to inspiring positive change. It was amazing to be in the same room as the likes of Lady Justice Simler and Harriet Harman KC, who won the lifetime achievement award. I was also able to hear the speech by past CILEX president Millicent Grant KC (Hon) about the importance of CILEX in the profession.

Open to all

Investing in our local community is also important to me and I have worked with partner schools to provide children with exposure to the legal profession and help develop skills to prepare them for a legal career. I am an enthusiastic advocate of alternative routes into the law and am always first to shout about how CILEX offers a great opportunity to study and work at the same time.

“I am an enthusiastic advocate of alternative routes into the law and am always first to shout about how CILEX offers a great opportunity to study and work at the same time” 

Irwin Mitchell continues to support those studying with CILEX and we currently have CILEX apprentices in the costs team.

I’m really proud of the group I studied CILEX with – as well as my recent award, there are lots of us doing great stuff, including members of the CILEX Professional Board, partners and senior associates.

I’m always looking to progress my career and Irwin Mitchell has given me opportunities to do that over the 26 years I’ve worked there. That’s why I’ve stayed – the culture and the people really make the firm a great place to work.

I plan to continue to push myself to progress personally within my team and to focus on diversity and inclusion to empower and inspire colleagues. I’d like to get more involved in CILEX – I’ve been impressed by all the changes that have been made in recent years. We have a truly progressive president in Yanthé Richardson, and CILEX and its members are making great strides in the legal world, whether that’s leading the way on diversity and inclusion, becoming senior judges or joining their firms’ partnerships.