My legal life: Glynis Wright MBE, Nelsons

I came to the realisation that I wished to enter the law rather late, at the age of 40. Previously, I had enjoyed a career in local government in the field of economic development and I had enjoyed it very much. But I needed a bigger intellectual challenge and the opportunity to progress more quickly than seemed possible in local government. So I took the plunge and gave up my career to study law full-time at De Montfort University. My first degree was in English and philosophy, after which I undertook a law conversion course for one year, followed by the Legal Practice Course.  

A local Leicester firm then offered me a training contract and, within two years of qualifying, I was made partner. After another three years I broke away from the partnership to set up my own firm, Glynis Wright & Co Family Solicitors and Mediators in 2011. Fast forward to December 2020 and I had built the boutique firm up to a turnover of circa £1.2m. It was at this point that I made the decision to sell, following successful and mutually satisfactory negotiations, and my firm was acquired by Nelsons, along with its team of lawyers, as part of Nelsons’ ambitious strategy for growth in Leicester and the wider East Midlands.

In January 2021 I was named in the new year’s honours list. I was awarded an MBE for my services to furthering the cause of female entrepreneurship. I received the email from the Cabinet Office on 4 December 2020, which was also the day I finally signed the share purchase agreement selling my firm to Nelsons. The coming together of these two huge and momentous events was quite overwhelming and I thought the email was a fake – it seemed to me that if I was receiving such an incredible accolade it would surely come on very posh paper by post! However, I rang the Cabinet Office number and found out that it was true. It was one of the proudest days of my life.

I was then thrilled to learn that I was a finalist in the 2021 Law Society Awards, where I received the accolade of Highly Commended Woman Lawyer of the Year. At the same time, I was appointed as chair of the advisory board of the faculty of business and law at De Montfort University, which I now run with considerable pride. The board is comprised of 35 professionals from the legal and commercial sectors. Our role is to support the faculties of business and law by influencing the curriculum, mentoring students and offering our expertise.

'I got an email saying I had been awarded an MBE… It seemed to me that if I was receiving such an incredible accolade it would surely come on very posh paper by post!'

Divorce is complicated, even in the most ordinary circumstances. This is exacerbated where there are complex assets or deep acrimony, all of which create challenges that have to be navigated in a sensitive but successful way. As family law specialists, we often find that we are responsible for alleviating the pressure experienced by all parties throughout the separation process – however long that may be. This means that it is all the more satisfying to know that we’ve played an integral part in helping our clients find closure and move on with the next chapter of their lives.

While on the surface it may seem like a solitary profession, this is not true. One of the most rewarding aspects of a career in law is working as a part of a team. I have loved developing the skills and talent of my lawyers and support staff and helping them to realise their potential. I have always operated an open-door policy with my whole team, and I encourage the team to help each other. Family law is emotionally gruelling for the client and for the solicitor, so a strong team bond with mutual support is essential to running a successful and prominent family law service.

Family lawyers have always been among the most sought-after professionals. However, there is no doubting the profound impact the pandemic has had on our caseload due to an increase in divorce and domestic violence cases as a result of the three lockdowns. The first, in March 2020, at times saw Leicester at the epicentre of the pandemic with an additional lockdown. Simultaneously, the pandemic also unsettled many children and maintenance arrangements that had been in place for several years, causing confusion and frustration in equal measure. All of this combined means that we are now as busy as we have ever been, with no signs of this easing any time soon.