Life at K J Smith: Q&A with Paralegal Lydia Anson

Why did you decide you wanted to become a family lawyer?

For me, my passion always lay in the desire to make a difference in people’s lives when they are experiencing an extremely difficult time by working side by side with them from the beginning right through to the end. While every matter is individual and has its own unique journey, it is not just about providing practical support; it is about listening and being someone they can lean on.

What attracted you to K J Smith?

Following the completion of my Law degree at the University of Sussex, I was keen to find a firm where every single member of staff, regardless of their position or experience, was supported and known on a personal level. I wanted to belong to a firm that invested in me, my dreams and ambitions and would guide me in fulfilling these.

My initial attraction to K J Smith was sparked by their receipt of the Investors in People Gold accreditation and the fact that they believe the success of the organisation begins and ends with their team. As I was newly navigating my legal career, it became clear that K J Smith would be the right environment for me to grow in while providing the best possible support to clients.

There is also the support side. Individuals across the firm are always recognised for their hard work, and this is celebrated company-wide; it truly feels like an environment where we have each other’s backs. No matter how small, we celebrate all the wins, which is lovely.

As a firm, K J Smith focuses on the wellbeing of its people. There are weekly meditation and yoga sessions, enabling us to switch off our computers for an hour or so during the workday and unwind. It does not stop there - we are also provided with the opportunity to have a number of sessions with a personal trainer.

How else has K J Smith supported you in your career journey so far?

From the experience that I have gained to the broadening of my knowledge and skills, the support that K J Smith has provided me in my career journey so far has been invaluable. K J Smith advocates regular one-to-ones with your supervisor and there is a focus on creating SMART targets in these session to promote and continue your development. These are benchmarked against our core values of above & beyond, client focus, continuous improvement, empathy, integrity and teamwork and something we look to achieve in everything we do. Through the use of SMART targets and one-to-ones, I have been encouraged to continually develop as an individual, and within the team.

Recently, I have been very fortunate to have been awarded support from K J Smith towards the studying of my SQE, which will be the final stage in my journey to becoming a qualified solicitor. Since the route to qualifying has recently changed, the new SQE route involves two sets of exams, one assessing functioning legal knowledge and the other assessing practical legal skills. Each consists of numerous assessments, plus the requirement for two years of qualifying work experience which I will be completing alongside. Simply, K J Smith has been incredible during this process and I am very excited to commence my studies this October.

You joined the Southampton office shortly after it opened…

Yes, our Southampton office opened in September 2022 and I joined some three weeks later. Since then, I have worked closely with the Head of Southampton, Robyn Bowyer, and team Southampton to grow the office. It is definitely a collaborative approach that underpins our office, and new ideas are always welcomed. Ultimately, there is an attitude of ‘let’s create this office together as a team’.

We are all very close-knit at K J Smith and every office has its own personality. In Southampton, we are a very sociable office and there is always lots going on, whether that be events with local lawyers to build our support network, lectures with the local Chambers, running at lunchtimes or sessions aimed at inspiring the next generation of legal professionals.

What does your typical day look like?

Given the broad nature of what we do, my day is often quite varied as a paralegal. My focus one day might be drafting letters, through to writing statements for clients, applications to the courts, or sitting in on free 45-minute initial consultations. I also regularly prepare for hearings, which includes organising documents and court paperwork in readiness.

What are you looking forward to the most when you qualify?

Developing and building trusted relationships with my clients. Within family law matters, you do not only get to know your client on a professional level but also on a personal level whilst building a rapport throughout the duration of their matter.

Most of all, I look forward to continuing my career with K J Smith. There are some incredible people here, and it truly is the people and the culture that make the firm.

For more information about career opportunities at K J Smith, visit www.kjsmith.co.uk/join-us