Kathleen Ryan
Why did you choose the law?
I choose Law because it is an area that has always interested me and there so many different aspects that I didn’t think I would ever get bored!
Tell us a bit about how you got here…
I am from Coventry and studied Law at Coventry University. I worked part time at the local estate agents whilst I was at Uni. When I left uni, I worked for a year as a legal secretary and then started the LPC (whilst continuing to work part time as a legal secretary). I followed the traditional route of completing the LPC (at College of Law now called University of Law) and then undertaking a training contract. I worked as a legal assistant at Warwickshire County Council for over two years before I started my training contact at Martineau (later becoming Shakespeare Martineau) in 2011 and qualified in 2013 having spent a year of my training contact in the Private Client team. I stayed at Shakespeare Martineau for 12 years until September 2023 and I then joined Gateley (which is a national firm) in October 2023 before coming back home to Cov.
What does your day job look like?
No two days are the same, but my time is typically spent managing client queries, keeping communication clear and timely, and working to move matters forward efficiently. It’s a balance of problem-solving, coordination, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks — all with the goal of delivering a smooth experience for our clients.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside I am mum to two very active boys so it feels like I am always on the go taking them to their various activities (either siting on the side of a swimming pool or football pitch). I have also recently got a season ticket for CCFC so enjoy going to the games with my dad and my youngest football mad son. I also enjoy catching up with friends and rare nights out with my husband!