How volunteering at a law centre inspired Brenda’s legal career

Cullimore Dutton’s Head of Family Brenda Spain is a highly experienced family lawyer who specialises in the financial aspects of divorce and separation, private children matters and co-habitation disputes. Here she talks about what inspired her choice of profession, what she loves about her work and how she is working with the next generation of solicitors.

What inspired your career in the law?

Growing up in Liverpool, I volunteered at a law centre while I was doing my A-levels. The centre helped people with family, housing and welfare issues and I was impressed with how well everyone worked as a team and their passion to make a difference to those people’s lives. I saw the human face of the law and I liked it. I wanted to help people too.

How did you get started?

I studied law at Liverpool University and then started working for a Liverpool law firm in their family department, receiving fantastic support from my then Principal. Thereafter, I spent 25 years as a partner at a legal firm in Worcestershire before heading back north and joining Cullimore Dutton in 2019. I’m a member of the Law Society family law panel and I’m also a mediator, which means I’m trained to work with people whose relationships have broken down and to find solutions that both sides can agree on.

What do you love about your work?

Chester is a wonderful city to practice in and I love the collaborative approach we foster as a business here at Cullimore Dutton. We do not cover every aspect of law but what we do, we do to an excellent standard. Everyone is very positive with a can-do attitude and I’m proud that we have built such a dynamic team. Whether you are a legal assistant, a secretary or a partner, client care runs through the heart of the practice. Changing lives is in our DNA for our clients and our colleagues alike.

As my team understand, we are keen to help people through one of the most difficult times in their lives and I believe our client care and level of support singles us out. It’s not a 9-5 job. We are all very accessible and support our clients from start to finish, wading through what can be the fog of divorce into what we hope to be a better new chapter in their lives. We are more than solicitors.

What does your mentor work involve?

I’m Cullimore Dutton’s Training Principal which means I mentor and support colleagues who are coming into the legal profession.

It’s an exciting role and I care passionately about people joining our team. I want them to be the best they can be because they are the next generation.

We have taken on four legal assistants recently and it’s great seeing them progress. One is about to qualify and another is half way through their training.

Tell us about life outside work

At the weekends, I love getting out and about into the countryside with my Labrador Barney, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.

I enjoy getting involved in charity work because meeting and helping people and giving back to communities is important to me. I am proud to have helped a number of charities over the years and continue to do so.