Maria, Corporate Lawyer
What did you want to be when you grew up?
At a very young age I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I never thought I would work for someone but hey here I am at 22.50 working for someone and writing an email to a client.
What do you want most in the future?
This has changed a lot for me. When I reached late teenage years and went to university I really wanted to be Jessica Pearson from suits. I wanted to be partner, bad ass, black woman in a law firm.
Now I am at my current age I take a more measured approach. I have worked really hard and maybe priorised work too much at the expense of other things that are important too. I have achieved a lot and actually realised my teenage ambition by working in a world class law firm. So while I love my job I also value time with family, friends and creating experiences with them. As I have got older I get more purpose from these moments so I think maximising these is a priority for me in the future.
What’s been your biggest achievement to date?
I’d say getting my training contract with Clifford Chance. A magic circle, top 5 firm in the UK. Coming from where I came from I feel like this is a massive achievement as the probabilities were probably stacked firmly against me.
What’s your advice to other women/girls?
Go for it. As females we question and query everything. I used to do it all the time. I used to ask:
Can I do this?
Am I good enough?
Will they accept me?
Will this work out?
There was always these questions filled with doubt. You have to set these aside and GO FOR IT. Achievement takes effort. A lot of success in this world is built on work. You might look at a successful singer and think they have a fabulous life. What you might not realise is the work and effort they have to put in day in, day out to achieve what they have. Life is not roses and flowers. To get where you want to go you have to work for it. Don’t glamourise things in life. Achievement is hard even if you love what you do, it is hard. I realised this from my original idolisation of Jessica Pearson. When I got the chance to start building that dream I learned quickly the true scale of the task at hand. Realising this and respecting it will enable you to stay grounded, realistic and keep you motivated to go for it.
What does it mean being a black woman in your industry?
I am pretty fortunate that my firm is quite diverse. When I was in law school there were six black students out of thirty which is not great but it is better than being the only one. Some training courses and firms had 0. So I have been fortunate that I have not felt isolated. This is not to say that I am not been conscious of it being a black female when in the majority cases you will be in the minority. I am lucky as I never felt it in a way that it has been a negative experience.
What school did you go to?
St Martin in the Fields.
What is the most important thing in the world to you?
My mum, brothers, husband and children.