In celebration of International Women’s Day, this year we decided to honour and acknowledge some of the #powHERful women at Gordons Partnership. We asked these inspirational women some questions to get to know them a little better.
Julia Frimond – Partner
In 1993, Julia established her own practice in Guildford to provide a specialist service for private clients in all aspects of relationship breakdown. In 2012 Julia merged her firm with Gordons and Julia became a partner. She established the Family and Private Wealth departments in our Guildford office. Julia has been a member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitor’s Family Law Association) since 1985. She also trained as a family mediator in 1990 and practiced as a mediator for 10 years. She was appointed as a Deputy District Judge in April 1999 and retired in March 2017.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
No, until I was 14, I wanted to be a doctor - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
Starting my own practice in 1992 in extremely difficult and unpromising circumstances and being appointed as a DDJ in 1999 - What drives you on every day?
Combination of fear and the wish to be useful - What would be your best pieces of advice?
Do not lie, your parents are not always right but they do their best, kindness is one of the best qualities, hard work is rewarding, how long do you want me to go on? - What do you like to do outside of the office?
Potter at home and in the garden, spoil my 4 grandchildren, eg outings with them the best fun, long chats with friends and family, lunches and walks with same, history including genealogy are hobbies, etymology [recent discovery: curfew in French is couvre-feu]
Samantha Chubb – Partner
Samantha graduated from Manchester University with a management degree before studying at the College of Law, London. She qualified as a lawyer in 2003, and joined our Residential Conveyancing team in Guildford in 2014. Samantha deals with a wide range of residential matters for both freehold and leasehold properties; for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
I had no idea what I wanted to do, but discovered law as part of my management degree and took the plunge to do the conversion course. - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
Other than becoming a partner and a qualified yoga instructor, managing to buy a “cool” present for one of my nephews! - What drives you on every day?
On a serious note, wanting to do a good job and get people into their new homes. That and chocolate. - What would be your best pieces of advice?
In terms of work – try and predict what your client’s/s’ reply to your email is going to be and deal with it in one email. More importantly – Breathe and get enough sleep. There are many studies showing we don’t do either very well these days and our health is suffering because of it. - What do you like to do outside of the office?
Yoga and gardening (I’m not going to confess to my other boring pass-times!)
Carla Applegate – Solicitor
Carla Applegate is an experienced clinical negligence solicitor at Gordons Partnership acting mainly on behalf of doctors for a leading medical defence organisation in complex claims typically involving catastrophic injury. Carla trained and qualified at a Claimant firm in 2009, specialising in brain and spinal cord injury. She brings a wealth of experience in high-value clinical negligence claims. Having litigated on behalf of Claimants for over 10 years, Carla joined Gordons in September 2019.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
I knew I wanted to be a solicitor by the time I left school. I loved the idea of this massive body of rules and applying it to everyday situations. When I got my first paralegal job, I knew I wanted to work in medical law. - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
Every time I have ever had a client say how much they were helped by my support and advice. - What drives you on every day?
I still find my work so fascinating that I am (usually!) pleased to get stuck in every morning. - What would be your best pieces of advice?
1. Ask questions. 2. From a litigation perspective – keep it calm. - What do you like to do outside of the office?
I love being outside, exploring and going for walks, which is fortunate in the current situation!
Amy Archer – Solicitor
Amy graduated with a first-class honours degree in Law at BPP University in January 2018. She then graduated with a distinction in the LPC from the University of Law in Guildford. She completed her training seats in our Guildford based Healthcare and Family departments before joining our London office assisting with all areas of Litigation, Employment and Corporate Law. Amy qualified as a Solicitor in February 2021 and joined our London office assisting the Commercial Litigation team.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
Yes, from a very young age. - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
Working, whilst completing my Law degree and achieving my goal of getting a 1st. - What drives you on every day?
Family, Shoes, clothes, handbags. - What would be your best pieces of advice?
Get your ducks in a row early. If you cannot get them in a row, try and find new ducks. - What do you like to do outside of the office?
Cook, running, seeing friends and family
Satvinder Sokhal – Solicitor
Satvinder qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and has specialised in family law ever since. She has a wealth of experience in all aspects of Matrimonial and Family Law which includes divorce and separation matters (whether married or cohabiting), financial disputes, private law children matters and pre-nuptial agreements. Satvinder is well versed in handling complex and high net worth cases often with an international element. Satvinder is a member of Resolution, an association of family law professionals who seek to reform family law and promote a constructive and amicable approach to dispute resolution.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
Yes, I did. I decided on a career in the law when I was about 14 and from thereon, it was my goal to become a solicitor. - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
To have achieved my goal in life of becoming a solicitor…and managing to maintain a career as a solicitor whilst raising a family, which was very hard at times. - What drives you on every day?
Being grateful for another day and aiming to make it better than the last, in some way. - What would be your best pieces of advice?
Always stay positive and always try and improve yourself. No matter how old you get, you’ll never know everything. Keep learning. - What do you like to do outside of the office?
I like spending time with my two children. I like to keep fit and practice meditation. I really enjoy travelling, but that has been on hold for over 12 months now!
Lucy Bowker – Trainee Solicitor
Lucy did a History and Society degree at the University of Exeter before converting to Law and undertaking her LPC. She worked in law firms in Oxford and London as a Paralegal before moving to Guildford and joining Gordons’ Healthcare Department in February 2019. She is currently working as a Trainee Solicitor in our Residential and Commercial Conveyancing Teams.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
No, initially when I finished University I pursued a career in Film and Television production but I quickly found myself getting bored. - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
My scholarship to Charterhouse School, Summer working in Disneyland Paris, Getting through Law School and my Training Contract at Gordons! - What drives you on every day?
My family and friends and my ambitions. - What would be your best pieces of advice?
Perseverance is key. Just keep going! It is okay not to be okay. - What do you like to do outside of the office?
In normal times I like to go to the theatre, watch live music and go swimming. With the lockdown it is more about walking in the Surrey Hills, reading and working my way through the classic films.
Laura Neuhaus – Paralegal
Laura graduated in English Literature from the University of Oxford in 2020. After working for a Legal-Tech start-up, Laura joined Gordons as a paralegal in the property department. She will complete her Graduate Diploma in Law in Guildford part-time starting in August 2021.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
I was going to be a police officer or a teacher until I got to university. - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
Learning to spell in English, passing my driving test first time, winning the county basketball title, playing on women’s second Oxford volleyball team. - What drives you on every day?
I love being challenged & sporting competition. - What would be your best pieces of advice?
Be grateful for something every day. - What do you like to do outside of the office?
Playing piano, cycling, table tennis in our garage, going on runs, going for a walk with a friend!!!
Jules Roach – Office Manager
After graduating from the University of Western Ontario, Jules worked in a variety of corporate positions, culminating in the role of Marketing Manager for UK South for Computer Group/Systemhouse in the early 1990s. Since then Jules has co-owned an interior decorating business in Surrey and joined Gordons as legal support in July 2016 and Office Manager in 2017.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
I did take a law course at University but ended up in computer software for many years. I also owned an interior decorating firm called Slapdash and Thorough. I am fascinated by law and that is what drew me to Gordons! - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
Head girl at my school, raising two happy, healthy boys who have pursued their dreams, and being able to undertake so many varied roles in my life… so far! - What drives you on every day?
To be the best person I can possibly be every day and to provide a great working environment for the staff. - What would be your best pieces of advice?
Life can seem quite complicated so simplify it down to “if you have done your best on any given day and if you have been a kind person” then if it sometimes does not go to plan then at least you know you could not have done more! Oh ya… and be flexible and try to see things through other people’s eyes! - What do you like to do outside of the office?
Reading, puzzles, swimming, exercise, travelling, music gigs and ballet and of course being with my family and my mates!
Rocio Landa – Trainee Solicitor
Rocio joined Gordons in September 2019 after several years of working in the legal sector both in private practice and in-house. Rocio studied law at the Catholic University of Argentina until 2016. She relocated to the UK in 2008 and I finished her legal studies at the Open University in 2016 obtaining a First Class Honours Degree in Law (LLB). She then completed the Legal Practice Course in 2018 obtaining a Commendation. Rocio is currently working as a Trainee Solicitor in our London office.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
Yes. My mother used to take me to tribunal and courts with her so we would spend some time together, and I was fascinated by the legal world. As I grew older I realised that it wasn’t just a fascination with what I saw, but I that had a fighting spirit and a need for searching justice. - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
My biggest accomplishments to date have been to finish a degree and the LPC in a second language, while working full time, being away from my family through tough times but despite all that finding the strength to keep on going. I also sat the last exams of the LPC while being 39 weeks pregnant, which was challenging but rewarding. - What drives you on every day?
The example and future I leave for my daughter, and the satisfaction I find in doing what I love. - What would be your best pieces of advice?
My biggest piece of advice would be to never allow other people to define who you are and what your dreams should be. - What do you like to do outside of the office?
I love spending time with family and friends and discovering hidden spots in the countryside. I am a big foodie, so a lot of my time is spent cooking new things. I have recently started experimenting with Japanese food.
Franki Cawdron – Legal Support
Before joining Gordons Partnership in 2017 Franki had a very varied career covering fashion retail, music (during the ‘80s – arguably the best music era!), design and advertising production and creative project management. She also took a sabbatical to Thailand a few years ago where she lived on the border with Burmese refugees for six weeks. She helped with their English and the translation of stories of the human rights abuses going on in their country – this work was published by the charity Burma Issues and sent out to various organisations to bring the plight of their country even more into the public eye which she said was a very interesting and humbling experience. She now works with Gordons Residential Conveyancing team as their administrator.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
I had never actually considered it! - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
One of my accomplishments was getting a job in a sector that I had no knowledge of and embracing new learnings. - What drives you on every day?
A lovely team and interesting work. The feeling that I am helping to make the running of the Property Department as smooth as possible by streamlining processes (calling on my project management experience). - What would be your best pieces of advice?
Be kind and considerate to others. - What do you like to do outside of the office?
Run, garden, mooch around antique and charity shops.
Laura MacGregor – Paralegal
Laura joined our Guildford office in August 2018. She is currently working as a Paralegal in our Residential Conveyancing department. She will commence her CILEx course shortly. Prior to joining Gordons, Laura worked as a Paralegal for a conveyancing practice.
- Did you always want to have a career in the legal sector?
Honestly, no. It was a happy accident that I began my legal career after joining a firm as a receptionist. - What would you say have been your biggest accomplishments to date?
Every step I take towards becoming a Chartered Legal Executive is a big accomplishment as I have worked hard every day to get here. - What drives you on every day?
My drives are to strive to learn and better myself. To make not only my family and firm proud but be proud of myself too. - What would be your best pieces of advice?
A positive mental attitude in all that you do. - What do you like to do outside of the office?
I love to cook and working on my baking skills. Walks in beautiful places with my little family.
