We share a brew with Christina Hale, solicitor and partner at a leading family law firm
Cambridge Edition: Hello Christina! Firstly, can you tell us about your background in law and what drew
you to working for FM Family Law?
Christina Hale: I definitely didn’t take the traditional route! It was only after leaving school at a young age, having two children and then becoming divorced myself that I decided I needed a career.
I gained experience in conveyancing and began studying for a degree part time. During this time, I got a training contract with the firm I was working for and got stuck into family law. I didn’t like it at first, but by the time I qualified, I had developed a real taste for it!
I first encountered Fiona McLeman (founder of FM Family Law) when we were working against each other on a case – I was acting for the wife while she was on the husband’s team! We had been corresponding back and forth, before a mutual friend decided we might get along, so I picked up the phone and asked her if she fancied working together. She was a sole practitioner at the time, and shortly after I became her first recruit. We didn’t even have premises at the time; we just sat together and bashed things out on the computer in her home office!
CE: How has the team evolved since?
CH: There are now 12 of us working in offices in Cambridge, Newmarket and Norwich. The latter was formed while I was away on maternity leave, and a lady called Sue Bailey stepped in to work with Fiona. Sue was a Norwich local, and although we had no presence in the city, she took a leap of faith and built up an office there entirely from scratch. We’re an all-female team, but not on purpose! It’s simply worked out that way through our organic growth. It’s quite unusual in the industry to have a firm of this size with an all-female team. I believe this has an impact on how FM Family Law is perceived outwardly, and it’s such a great environment to work in.
CE: How does FM Family Law stand out from other firms?
CH: We’re extremely agile as a firm and quick to adapt and respond. We never stop trying to improve and make things better.
CE: What do you most enjoy about your line of work?
CH: I genuinely enjoy helping people. There is nothing more rewarding than when people settle a case and come away from it feeling better than before. It gives them that feeling of empowerment when they realise they do have options – and you have the ability to provide that knowledge and support.
Follow @fmfamilylaw and discover how Christina, Fiona and the rest of the friendly team can help you with legal matters at fmfamilylaw.co.uk. FM Family Law, 4 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8DT
