My legal life: Suzanne Trask, APIL

I come from a rural background in Staffordshire. While managing a busy smallholding, my parents also had full-time jobs – running a charity and working in animal health for the local council. I learned very early on that we all had work to do to keep the place running, and I was herding sheep as soon as I could walk. 

I was the first in my family to study for a degree. Wanting to broaden my horizons, I applied far and wide, and moved to Plymouth to do the LLB. City life was new to me but I settled in quickly. I had some great years there, working part-time jobs where I could.

Knowing that ultimately I’d like to work in the south-east (though I’d never been to London before), I applied for training contracts from the second year of my degree. I made many applications, and was offered a handful of interviews. I travelled from Devon for each one, and happily received an offer that I accepted.

After my degree, I moved to Bristol to study the Legal Practice Course at the University of the West of England. I then moved to south-east London, to start my training contract at Clarkson Wright & Jakes.

I always knew that my interest lay in the area where law overlapped with medicine, given how important both are to our lives. I also enjoyed my training in commercial litigation and employment law. It’s all shaped me as a litigator and given me a broader perspective.

Upon qualification, I was offered a role as a solicitor in the personal injury department, headed up by David Greenhalgh. I remained at the firm for several happy years before moving into central London, to Bolt Burdon Kemp (BBK).

I knew from my first interview with Jonathan Wheeler that BBK was for me. Everyone was so unstuffy and friendly, and they clearly loved the work. I worked my way up and became a partner in 2013 and then head of the clinical negligence group. I later became head of a new group, acting for adults who experience brain injuries, whether in a car accident, at work, in public or due to negligence in their medical treatment.

'My advice to others to help manage the demands of the job is to know yourself, and what you need'

I’m very fortunate in that I’ve experienced flexible working in its truest sense ever since I started working at BBK in 2008. This meant that I’ve been able to shape life and work to bring out the best of myself in both. Lynne Burdon was a pioneer when this was introduced and it’s good to see that the benefits are now better understood.

I’ve found that the boundaries between home and work were challenged, and shifted through the Covid lockdown. Proper rest and breaks became even more important. I’m grateful to now have a lovely garden.

My advice to others to help manage the demands of the job is to know yourself, and what you need. Tapping into this will mean you already know your best remedies when things get difficult, which at some point they will. Rest is very important, so guard your sleep wisely. Enjoy yourself, and let your hair down every now and then. Email-free holidays are important. Animals and children are great levellers, and can bring you peace (and chaos).

Roger Bolt introduced me to the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) just after I started at BBK, and I shall always be grateful. I found a way to contribute to the wider legal community and campaign for change. Initially, I was involved in the development of the Serious Injury Guide, to benefit all with a more collaborative approach to cases. I was then elected to be secretary of the clinical negligence special interest group. As costs reform rose up the government agenda, I was co-opted on to the executive committee. I’ve been involved in the debate over the introduction of fixed costs in clinical negligence for many years now. I was later elected to the committee, and a year ago I became vice president.

Being involved in APIL and the brilliant team there has taught me a great deal. I’ve also learned a lot from working alongside experienced specialists at other law firms in different legal jurisdictions.

I’ve been a trustee of Silverlinings, the brain injury charity, for five years, which brings me great joy. It’s such a supportive community for people of all backgrounds, chaired by the wonderful Dr Sherrie Baehr. I get to spend time with my fellow trustees. I regularly host and attend meetings with members, doing all kinds of activities from needlework to dragon boat racing. We have lots of fun together and I’ve made many friends.