7 minute read
My journey to Partnership
My journey to Partnership
Aysha Chouhdary, Family Law Partner at Geldards LLP, talks to Legal Women about her journey to Partnership and what more needs to be done to Diversify Partnership
I am a Family Law Partner at Geldards LLP, and I head up our Faith and Cultural Family Law offering.
I was born into a working-class family, being the first person in my family to attend University. I am a British-Pakistani Muslim and can speak five languages (Urdu, Punjabi, Mirpuri/Pothwari, Hindi and English).
I attended state primary and secondary schools, but; given my academic achievements, then secured a place at a prestigious Grammar School Sixth Form which paved the way for me to attend a Russell Group University to study Law.
Given that I hailed from a humble background, I worked in retail throughout my education to help fund a lot of my expenses. I did not have much time outside of studying and working to gain experience in law firms, but I now feel that my career accelerated due to the skills that I picked up whilst working in retail – client care, business acumen and a mindset to innovate and lead with confidence.
I completed my LLB and LPC before starting work as a Paralegal at a top tier high street practice, as I was constantly told that securing a training contract was like gold dust, especially for someone from my background. I worked incredibly hard over the coming years, successfully completed my training and continued to climb the ranks, whilst juggling family life and career.
As I began to gain confidence and the technical expertise to deal with complex family law work, I realised that standing out, and being different, could be turned into my biggest strength.
I decided, with 3 years post qualification experience, to set up my niche practice (essentially a business within a business), focused on Faith (initially with the focus being Shariah/Islamic Law) and Cultural Family Law. I was fortunate enough to develop a service that would help meet the need of our diverse society and have received national recognition and accolades for this over the years.
During my junior years, I was often mistaken for a translator or, at best, as a social worker when I attended Court. I now, proudly, represent clients across different jurisdictions and have a network of experts that I work with, globally. I strive to get the best outcome for my clients, and I am passionate about providing a holistic service to meet their individual needs.
I was honoured to be promoted to Partnership at Geldards, a Top 100 Firm, with 8 years post qualification experience (PQE). If I could say something to my younger self; I would say “Persevere, look after your physical and mental health, and then take a big hammer to shatter that cement ceiling.”
My journey to Partnership has been short but intense. Since qualification, I have worked at various reputable firms and been promoted three times. As is the case with any area of law, climbing the ranks often meant long hours, working hard to do a good job for your clients and the business, and then doing focused business development to build my profile and practice. Being a South Asian Muslim woman, with a family, meant that I faced additional challenges, often cultural constraints, along the way. I am aware that many others from a similar background who are now Senior Lawyers, have faced a similar journey.
Today, I lead an all-female insolvency department filled with exceptional professionals. Still, I’m acutely aware that my journey—rooted in family support and fortunate circumstances—is not the norm. Too many talented women leave the profession before reaching leadership.
I had been working as a Senior Family Lawyer, with my own niche practice, for a few years, so the transition to Partner was fairly seamless in terms of complexity of cases and day to day work, however, there are more managerial demands on my time now which require more balancing between the various roles, alongside my family commitments. With experience, I have learnt that, every day as a family lawyer, with a family of my own, will be a balancing act, and there will be days were certain things will take priority over others, and that is absolutely fine.
Where the trailblazers at?
Throughout my life, as a female coming from a minority ethnic background, I have felt pressure to keep the plates spinning, often being unable to voice struggles, and mostly expected to just get on with it. In the rooms that I have walked into, and still sit in, there are not many (or, sometimes, any) people who look like me. I want to change this as diversity in the legal profession not just ensures equal representation but also enriches the practice of law itself. It is, therefore, vital to provide support and guidance to students and junior lawyers with their journey into the legal profession, especially for ethnically diverse women who often face additional struggles, like me.
I have, with this goal in mind, joined the Cardiff and District Law Society Council as a Council Member and Chair their Ethnicity Network, leading the Mentoring programme which supports students and junior lawyers, but also provides reverse mentoring opportunities for senior lawyers (as we are all always learning regardless of rank or experience). I am the first British Pakistani to have been appointed to the role in the Society’s 138-year history; I am proud to be able to represent my community at this level. The presidential team is led by a strong team of females which demonstrates the positive shift in our local Law Society.
I am also a part of other committees such as Resolution which are being Chaired by female Lawyers; another positive development. Resolution is a community of family justice professionals dedicated to promoting a non-confrontational approach to family issues. The community provides learning and networking opportunities at regional and national level organised by the committee members. Many Family Law professionals are female so this provides a support network for women which may assist some with their career progression.
The tide is turning but a lot remains to be done
The landscape is such that women are still dealing with traditional roles and expectations, regardless of their background, but are now also juggling full time careers, with many being in demanding leadership roles.
My appointment to Partnership came about as a result of the support from my family and colleagues at Geldards LLP. I have been very fortunate in this respect. It was also a culmination of the hard work and events that occurred over the course of my 12 year legal career – the good and the bad. Perseverance is key.
More females are now being promoted to Partnership, despite often having additional family responsibilities. Open discussions are now taking place so that females can be supported properly internally by their employers and externally by their support networks (family, friends etc) in their career journeys. Covid has resulted in hybrid and flexible working arrangements which has facilitated work and home life balance for many female lawyers too - this provides a further opportunity for women to achieve their career goals.
As more females, especially those from a diverse background, join Partnership, this will inspire the next generation of lawyers, who will ultimately feel better represented, having role models from all walks of life.
For women trying to secure Partnership, my advice is to keep going and to build up a support network around you - always remember that you have the right to occupy the space you take up. To the women already in leadership roles, make sure you leave the door open for the next generation. ■
Aysha Chouhdary
Geldards LLP
Family Law Partner and Head of Faith & Cultural Family Law
