My name’s Chloe Morgan and I’m a clinical negligence solicitor. I’ve worked here for five years.
The main part of my job is helping clients, and that’s something I love about medical negligence. You get the opportunity to have hands-on experience, supporting your clients through the most difficult moments in their lives.
For me, it’s important to build a rapport and guide them through their legal journey step-by-step. To build strong supportive relationships with my clients, my team at Irwin Mitchell and my squad at Crystal Palace Women’s FC are massively important to me.
The Flexible Approach
One of the things I value most about working here is our flexible by choice policy. As a lawyer, a goalkeeper for Crystal Palace, and a speaker on a football podcast, this flexible approach allows me to manage my work around my football commitments. I’m passionate about both law and football, so it’s great that I can balance both careers.
It’s definitely challenging, and there have been moments where I’ve really considered if this is something I’m able to do. But, I’ve been fortunate with how my football schedule works. I’m able to do my full-time job in the day and focus on my matches and training in the evening.
I was also lucky enough to take a sabbatical for a year. I spoke to my boss and couldn’t have had a more supportive conversation. She advised me to play football for a year and confirmed my job would be secure when I came back.
I’ve been playing football since the age of six, so I was extremely grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity. It meant so much to me that I was able to play for Spurs in the Women’s Premier League and experience such an elite level of competition.
It’s something I never thought I’d be able to do as a lawyer. I left my job one day on a Friday, cleared away all my case files, and then on the Monday, I was on the pitch full-time.
Comparing My Careers
I’m proud of my career and how it’s going. I see myself progressing and hopefully becoming an associate solicitor, senior associate and maybe a partner one day.
Communication is vital in my role. You have clients who’re happy to let you progress things yourself. Others have been through some really traumatic experiences and require more emotional support. You really adapt your approach for each client – that’s the human touch that matters to me.
Both my legal and football careers have really complemented each other. Sometimes when I get to the end of the day and it’s been quite stressful, going to football really helps. Equally, if I’ve had a bad game, stepping into the office and knowing that I can make a difference for my clients is also important.
I’m extremely passionate about justice, discrimination and equality and this runs through my both my legal and football careers. The kind of work we do is understanding our client’s story and trying to get equality for them. In women’s football, it’s usually rife with controversy and discrimination, and inequality is always an underlying issue.
For me, it’s about speaking up against this and changing the situation for younger girls coming up in the game.
Feeling Safe And Comfortable
Diversity and inclusion are massively important to me, and it’s so encouraging that these topics have been given a lot more attention in recent years.
Historically, diversity isn’t always at the forefront of the agenda in law. When I was at university, the majority of students in my year were white and this was similar in the workplace. But I’ve been really lucky, because I’ve never felt uncomfortable at university or at work.
At Irwin Mitchell, I’m starting to notice more representation amongst my colleagues and at board level. It’s also incredibly important to me to work at a firm where LGBTQ+ members are made to feel safe, comfortable and welcomed. Having that fun space where your sexuality isn’t something that you need to discuss is really important to me.
I’m co-head of a group called IM Equal, which is a group for LGBTQ+ members. There are lots of colleagues within this community and we go to Pride together.
I think the only area we could improve would be allowing more time outside chargeable hours to really engage with diversity and inclusion missions. Sometimes it can be a difficult process managing a demanding workload on top of working towards equality.
A Supportive Network
We have a great working environment here and building relationships is key, whether that’s with your clients, supervising partners, or colleagues. With the nature of our work, being able to rely on your colleagues and share your experiences about your cases is vital.
Sometimes the job can be difficult and stressful, but having positive and supportive colleagues is beneficial. I have an amazing support network around me here who’ve supported me during my legal and football journey.
Knowing I am trusted to deliver at work when I have such passionate interest away from the day job means so much to me. It sums up the culture here and it’s why I love it so much.
Join The Team
I’d encourage anyone to apply for Irwin Mitchell, whatever your background, race or sexuality, you’re valued for who you are and what you bring. It’s a very open and welcoming environment and you’re always supported by really positive colleagues.
There’s also a real emphasis on flexibility, diversity and inclusion, and progression here - it’s just a great place to work.
Read Chloe's professional profile
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