My legal life: Alison Berryman, Biztech Lawyers

My A-levels were all science-based, but I realised part way through that a science career was not for me. I had done work experience in a law firm at 16 so decided to take an extra year to do a law A-level and see if I enjoyed it. I went on to study law at university. The combination of analytical thinking and practical problem-solving really appealed to me.

While I was studying for my law degree and LPC, I also trained and worked as a book-keeper. The firm I worked for had a lot of music industry clients and I ended up in book-keeping jobs with small record labels and at a live music venue in Camden.  

I was clueless about training contracts and finished my degree and LPC without having secured one. However, I was enjoying working in the London music scene so stuck with it and got a job at Universal Music. I worked there for years drafting (and occasionally negotiating) contracts for the use of music in TV, commercials, computer games and on websites.

'I have sung in the St Matthew Passion at the Royal Festival Hall, and many other concerts in and around the south of England'

In 2003 I decided to make use of my legal qualifications and moved to a paralegal role at a Nasdaq-listed tech company. A year later I started my training contract as the first employee of Waterfront Solicitors, a specialist IP/IT boutique in London. It was founded by two young women who had trained at Linklaters together, then gone their separate ways, before deciding to set up their own firm. I originally wanted to be a music lawyer, but my experience at Waterfront made me realise how fascinating tech can be.

My work is split between commercial contracts, often supporting tech businesses in negotiations, and data protection compliance work. The projects I really remember are the ones where the result has had a positive impact. For example, I helped my client, Valtech, negotiate contracts with the Department for Transport and over 200 UK local authorities to build the system that issues Blue Badges to disabled residents. This simplifies the process enormously for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Another client had an AI product that is used by law enforcement agencies to identify photographs and videos of child sexual abuse.

I generally try not to launch into technical legal discussions at parties. But I do occasionally get caught out when someone starts talking about how you can’t do X, Y or Z without consent. It is a common misconception that consent is a requirement for all types of processing. It is actually only one of six ‘legal bases’ – and in many cases one of the others will be more appropriate.

Our official address is a Work.Life co-working space at Barbican and I work here for at least a few hours most weeks. There is a great community at many of London’s co-working spaces, and there are often opportunities to meet other business people who are working flexibly. Many good conversations have started over coffee or Thursday beer and pizza.

I have sung in amateur choirs since I was a child. Before I had children of my own I was, at one point, singing in three different London choirs. I have sung in the St Matthew Passion at the Royal Festival Hall, and many other concerts in and around the south of England, as well as Christmas carols at Charing Cross Station every year in aid of the Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Since having children, I have scaled back, and for the past 12 years I have sung in my local church choir in Streatham.