ILS Marketing & Business Development Manager, Sandy Fitzgerald, spoke recently to Julie Marsh - Senior Associate in the Clinical Negligence team at Boyes Turner LLP based in Reading, about her path into the legal profession. They also spoke about her work as a Believe and Achieve Mentor and Trustee for the Meningitis Now charity.
In the interview Julie talks about how she thought about becoming a PE teacher – studying PE, English and History at A-Level, before deciding on a joint honours degree in Law with Criminology at Keele University as a route in to becoming a lawyer.
Describing herself as a people person who has always liked to surround herself with different people from all walks of life, Julie has found that her career path has suited her well, from her clients through to the barristers and medical professionals that she interacts with every day – there truly is great variety in her role.
Working for Boyes Turner since 2008, Julie has also found that she has received warmth, support and guidance from those that she has worked with over the years, helping her to grow and progress within her chosen profession, a kindness she seeks to pay forward to those coming through the junior ranks.
As well as the support, Julie has also felt inspired by those around her, but not just from within her profession. She has also been inspired by friends and family who have displayed tremendous courage in the face of adversity. And it is perhaps this that has driven Julie to give courage and confidence to others through her work with Meningitis Now.
Meningitis Now charity raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis, its aiming is to save lives and rebuild futures of those affected by the disease. They have also been instrumental in the work to roll out vaccines against the disease.
In her role as a Believe and Achieve Mentor Julie helps individuals develop their business skills including work on preparing for interviews and developing presentations skills. She also helps students write personal statements for their university applications. Her aim is to help these individuals feel more confident in what they’re seeking to achieve. And her efforts were recognised by the charity when she became a trustee last year.
Julie talks about the charities fundraising initiatives, which have sadly been curtailed this year with the advent of COVID-19. Notably amongst these is the annual Ribbon Appeal whereby, for a donation, you can dedicate a white ribbon to a loved one lost to Meningitis. All ribbons are then placed on a Christmas tree in Gloucester Cathedral where a celebration carol concert is held every year in December. This year people are being encouraged to place a ribbon on their own tree and join the concert which will be taking place online on Tuesday 8th December.
Watch the full interview here:
To read more about Meningitis Now, and see how you can get involved visit the website: www.meningitisnow.org
