I didn’t really decide to be a lawyer, the law chose me. I went to a wedding and sat next to a very nice man. He turned out to be a partner in a law firm and we talked career options all night. He gave me his business card and said to call him. I did, and was invited to meet some people. Entirely unbeknownst to me, it was a trainee selection day. I had no idea what I was doing, but I spent a day taking part in various team and individual exercises. At the end of the day the senior partner handed me a brown envelope. I asked what it was and he said, ‘a training contract’. I had to phone a friend to ask what that was. I hadn’t done a day of study in the law, but they paid for me to go to law school. I found my calling and the rest is history. Thank you, Miles.
If not for law, it would have been musical theatre, becoming an Olympic dressage rider or just being Mum. Growing up, I loved being on stage and I think it was my early training ground for being an advocate. I also studied theatre at A-Level.
Dressage was another huge passion of mine, and I pursued the ‘Olympic dream’, but my one horse sadly got the first-ever reported equine case of motor neurone disease and had to be put down. I couldn’t afford to start again – so that was it. But I am a great believer in all things being for a reason. It was a chapter of my life I loved, I learnt a huge amount, including the value of hard work, and I got to move on to the next adventure.
The most embarrassing thing to have happened to me at work was – I was once called by a partner I was working with, on my mobile while on the loo and… I answered. I know – don’t ask. It was a slightly awkward conversation – the partner I was talking to was adamant I was needed right away. There are two women out there who I hope will read this and fall off their chair laughing.
There are too many war stories to mention and most of them are unrepeatable. But they are the ones in which you find the very best of this job – camaraderie, kinship and lots and lots of laughs.
The most memorable case I’ve worked on was definitely the Abyei arbitration. I acted for what is now South Sudan in a boundary dispute which paved the way for South Sudan to secede. It was career defining. In terms of most interesting case, honestly, all my cases are interesting. It is one of the many things that makes this job such a privilege – you can never get bored.
When I first made counsel, I got upwards feedback in which some associates said I was a macro manager and some said I was a micro manager. I learnt to adapt my style to those I am working with and to develop a thick skin. I would like to think I am human, fair, and never ask more of others than I am willing to give myself. I want my teams to be collaborative, respectful, and strive to be the very best at all times. I also believe in it all being fun – otherwise what is the point. My team would describe me as too busy!
This will sound corny, but my biggest inspiration has been my Mum. She was brave, selfless, perfectly flawed and entirely her own person. She gave me the best of me. Inside the law, there are too many people over the years to single out just one. In general, my inspiration has come from the senior people who support the more junior people; the men who have looked out for the women; and the handful of brilliant advocates I have been privileged enough to work with and against.
My biggest achievement is easily being a Mum. Although, truth be told, my kids are awesome despite me, not because of me.
It takes humility, curiosity and a desire to listen and understand people to make a great disputes lawyer. And a healthy sense of humour!
When I’m not at work, I’m with my kids at one of their many national and international sailing events, come rain or shine. Otherwise, I’m just generally outside in the fresh air being active. I was not designed for an office job! Cooking, reading, music and trying to see my long-suffering friends, or walking my dog.
I have so many favourite films but if I absolutely had to choose, The English Patient. The most human and affecting book I have ever read is Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon.
Kate Davies KC is head of Skadden’s Europe international litigation and arbitration group.