Judith Rountree, Gardner Leader LLP

Judith is a Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution and Personal Injury Teams at Gardner Leader LLP.

She advises on a wide range of property litigation disputes and was crowned winner of the LawNet 2013 Young Lawyer of the Year Award.

How would others describe you in three words?
Honest, Conscientious, Determine.

What was your favourite subject at school and why?
Any subject that was not Maths related!

What has been your best professional moment to date?
Winning the LawNet Award for Young Lawyer of 2013

Tell us about one surprising thing you’ve learned since qualifying?
A lot of my clients think my Northern Irish accent is actually Canadian!?

What aspect of Law attracted you to the industry?
I can be quite argumentative at times (!) so learning tactics to win a dispute attracted me. Also that I wanted to make a difference to people in their legal problems.

If you could go back in time and give your school leaver self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Work hard, play hard – you are the master of your own destiny.

What has been your most embarrassing professional moment to date?
Attempting a ‘victory dance’ after winning  my first ever Trial – my colleagues at Gardner Leader have not let me live that down!

Who (or what) inspires you?
I am inspired by my Grandfather who was a successful County Court Judge.

What is your favourite film (or book?)
Any of the Disney movies with a ‘happy ever after’ ending!

Name one of your favourite places in the world (a travel destination, or even a favourite pub/restaurant)
Sitting in front of the AGA cooker in my parents’ house in chilly Northern Ireland.

Finish the following sentences:

By this time next year… I hope to be an Associate Solicitor and leading by example.

All I want for Christmas… is a trip to New York – hint hint to my husband!