Suzanne A.
About me
| Suzanne A. | |
| History | |
| History | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Vanbrugh | |
| 2009 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Senior Lawyer | |
| HM Revenue & Customs | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2017 |
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A day in the life of a Senior Lawyer in the United Kingdom
I work closely with litigators, policy officials and other civil servants to create and deliver government policy
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
I work for HM Revenue & Customs, a large government department. I am also a member of the Government Legal Profession (formerly Service).
What do you do?
I am a senior lawyer in an advisory team within the Solicitor’s Office. I work closely with litigators, policy officials and other civil servants to create and deliver government policy. This includes drafting legislation, providing legal advice, as well as sometimes assisting with litigation.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
I decided to pursue a career in law while studying history at York. Working in the civil service appealed to me and I was fortunate to be offered a training contract in the Government Legal Service shortly before starting the GDL. I have stayed in government ever since.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
No
Describe your most memorable day at work
Working in the government has given me plenty of memorable days. My most enjoyable experience was attending a CJEU hearing in Luxembourg, where I had instructed counsel acting for the UK. It was very different to UK court hearings, and it was fascinating to hear the legal arguments of other states on legal matters that I had been working on for some time.
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
The work can be intellectually demanding and pressured at times. I can work on something for months, or even years, which might never see the light of day because the government changes, or changes its mind. And as it’s the public sector, we don’t get the same perks as some of the private sector.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
I mostly work in the office, but can work from home fairly regularly. There are occasional opportunities to travel for work. The work life balance is mostly very good (and family friendly) although are exceptions.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I was chair of the Real Ale Society. This improved my skills of leadership and organisation. I also volunteered at York Students in Schools, and participated in a national teaching placement scheme. I didn’t want to become a teacher, but enjoyed the coaching aspect. Most of my transferable skills came from my degree, though.
What would you like to do next with your career?
I love working in government and intend to stay for the foreseeable future. It is possible to have a varied and intellectually stimulating career there - for example, I moved departments in 2017. I was promoted to senior lawyer in 2019, which offers more management opportunities.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
It’s easy to fall into a postgraduate course straight after a degree as a way of delaying “real life”. That’s not always the case, of course; some courses are necessary for certain careers. But if you are not sure what to do next, working for a year in a generic office job, or any other work, will be less expensive and probably more useful experience while you are figuring out the next stage in life.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
I am happy to answer questions about working in the Government Legal Profession and pursuing a legal career from a non-law background.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
Unfortunately I can’t offer informal work experience. Aspiring government lawyers can apply to diversity summer schemes at gov.uk/glp
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