In addition to her experience as both a solicitor and Supreme Court associate, Stewart also worked in the education sector for 25 years. She held various positions including head of department, teacher, tutor, external relations manager and researcher for secondary schools, colleges and universities.

According to managing partner Matt McCormick, the firm’s recruitment of people with a life before the law is no accident.

“Whilst we fully support the growth and development of young talent – and we have a number of lawyers here who have followed the traditional path – we see definite merit in having people on board with other life experience.

“We very much encourage our lawyers to get to know their clients, their industries and their circumstances in general. Having experience they can draw upon that doesn’t come from legal textbooks or precedents adds real value to what we offer our clients,” he said.

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The firm also boasts amongst its ranks a qualified pharmacist, an ex-US college baseball player, a social worker, an insurance claims’ manager, an archaeologist, a director of a fund management company, a playwright and a former labourer and plasterer.