Partner, London
I am part of a new team leading Hodge Jones & Allen. I feel a mix of nervousness and excitement. After 48 years at the helm, Patrick Allen has big shoes to fill – but also leaves the strongest possible foundations on which to build. I have been part of a close-knit board of equity partners working alongside Patrick, together with Julie Hardy, Jayesh Kunwardia, Raj Chada and Leticia Williams.
Since the pandemic, we have worked closely on the firm’s management and succession planning. We are already a well-oiled machine when it comes to running the business. My hope is that the leadership transition will feel seamless across the firm.
Before my A-levels, I had not considered a career in law. It was my form teacher at college who first suggested a law degree, and once I began researching it, I was captivated. The intellectual rigour of the subject appealed to me, as did the opportunity to harness and refine my analytical skills – to think critically, solve complex problems and apply logic to real human situations.
Once I decided to pursue law, I sought opportunities for legal experience. I quickly saw its power – not just as an academic pursuit, but as a force for justice and social change. As the daughter of Chinese immigrants from Vietnam, I have witnessed how easily vulnerable communities can be denied a voice, and how powerful law is as a tool to advocate for fairness and equality.
I studied law at the London School of Economics and completed the LPC at the College of Law. I then undertook a two-year training contract with Osbornes Law. During that time, I rotated through several seats, namely private client, family, personal injury and housing litigation. Each gave me a real sense of where my strengths and interests lay.
'What makes me especially proud to work at HJA is our refusal to accept the status quo when the law fails those it should protect. We have a long tradition of challenging unfairness and driving change'
I thought I wanted to be a family lawyer but soon realised it was not for me. It was through my experience in housing that I discovered a passion for civil litigation. It was an area that was challenging and varied, but also rewarding and gave me a strong sense of purpose. I did disrepair claims, possession, homelessness and advocacy at court duty schemes.
After qualifying, I stayed at Osbornes for 18 months. I then spotted a newly created role at Hodge Jones & Allen, joining a brand-new civil litigation team. I was the first team member, reporting directly to Patrick Allen – and it is the same team that I have grown and am proud to lead today.
What makes me especially proud to work at Hodge Jones & Allen is our refusal to accept the status quo when the law fails those it should protect. We have a long tradition of challenging unfairness and driving change, of testing the boundaries of the law and, when necessary, helping to reshape it.
I have been at Hodge Jones & Allen for 18 years and I hope it will remain my home for the rest of my legal career. When I first joined, I was fresh-faced and eager to learn, facing a steep learning curve that at times felt daunting. I was fortunate to be guided by Patrick Allen and supported by very patient counsel who taught me not just the law, but how to practise it with courage, compassion and integrity. Patrick’s door was always open, and no question was ever too small. Not everyone can say they learned their craft from a legal legend, but I can.
I feel privileged to work at a firm that uses the law to change lives for the better. I am constantly inspired by my colleagues and the extraordinary work they do. That shared purpose of standing up for those who need it most continues to drive me every day.
I am so grateful to Patrick, who always supported me and never saw my gender or race. There has never been a glass ceiling here, only opportunity for those who work hard. I had two children while at HJA and it never held back my progression. HJA’s diversity and supportive culture have built my confidence as both a lawyer and a person.
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