LAW
Progression – Wendy Beacom began her career as a secretary before rising to the top of the legal profession .
LEADING LADY
WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON PICTURE : TOM BANKS
Wendy ’ s alternative route to the top
74 | Tees Business
Wendy Beacom is a stalwart of Teesside law firm Tilly Bailey & Irvine .
A respected and highly experienced partner and head of private family law , Wendy specialises in divorce and separation , finances , nuptial and cohabitation agreements .
However , it may come as a surprise to learn that the proud Darlington mum achieved her position in a different way from the usual university route .
“ Studying law was not a career option for me at school ,” Wendy admits .
“ My parents instilled a great work ethic in me , and they worked hard all their lives , but sending me to uni was something they just couldn ’ t afford .
“ When I left school , girls were directed to looking at secretarial positions and boys to apprenticeships .”
Being a secretary was indeed the path Wendy ’ s career initially took . In April 1989 she began work in private practice as a legal secretary , but gradually she began to assist the solicitor she was working for .
Thus began a lifelong passion for family law . Wendy ’ s eyes were opened to the possibility of becoming a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives . This route involved Wendy working fulltime and studying part-time .
“ By dedicating myself to hard work and many hours of study , I realised that even without a law degree I could gain my law qualifications and undertake the same role as my solicitor peers ,” explains Wendy .
“ In addition , gaining my qualifications via this route meant that I already had handson , practical knowledge alongside learning law .”
Save for a short stint , Wendy has only ever worked in family law . In the main for all-service firms in Durham , Teesside , and North Yorkshire , and at one stage for a niche specialist family law practice .
While based in the North-East , she does have clients who are based nationally and internationally .
Her dedication to her career also saw Wendy becoming an accredited specialist family lawyer with Resolution – an organisation that advocates a non-adversarial approach and a more collaborative way of dealing with cases .
“ Resolution offers a more cooperative approach to resolving matters ,” says Wendy .
“ Additionally , we often bring in thirdparty professionals who can aid the early resolution of issues between parties – for example , where valuations are required , where valuations are required be it property , land or businesses .
“ Working cooperatively and collaboratively with solicitors for the other side and third party professionals helps in achieving goals , and it ’ s part of my job to ensure that the expert is a specialist in their field , one who I can trust to provide as accurate a report as possible .
“ At the end of the day it is an extension to the high standard of service I expect to provide to my clients , so I try to work with professionals I know and trust .”
At Tilly Bailey & Irvine for six years now , Wendy utilises her many years of experience to deal with the financial aspects of family law and also advises on prenuptial agreements , where parties wish to preserve assets such as gifts or pre-acquired wealth upon marrying , or postnuptial agreements , where often there is succession planning involved .
“ This could be the transfer of shareholdings to one party who works in a family business , or a party being given land in a farming enterprise with the family wishing for such to be preserved within the fold in the event of the parties ’ marriage breaking down ,” she explains .
Looking back on her esteemed career , Wendy is thrilled to work for a company which recognises less traditional routes to the law .
Furthermore , over the years Wendy has seen a significant increase in women choosing law .
“ It ’ s fantastic to see other women follow me into law and indeed to see so many females on Teesside excelling in all sorts of sectors ,” she says .
“ We ladies do tend to underestimate ourselves , but I ’ m proud of my achievements and always happy to share knowledge , if that means I can become a role model for others .”
As England and Wales marks 100 years since the first female solicitor joined the Law Society , the future is looking bright for talented women such as Wendy who , despite the odds , have the dedication and will to succeed .
Find out more about TBI at tbilaw . co . uk .