Top of the Property Ladder: Lawyer Linda Lands Leading Role at Slater and Gordon

A woman who studied for her law degree while working full time and raising two children has been appointed as the new head of residential property at Slater and Gordon.

Linda Kirk left school aged 15 to work as a typist before landing a job as a legal secretary at a high street law firm.

After impressing bosses with her drive and determination she was promoted to personal assistant to one of the partners – before deciding that she would much rather become a partner herself.

She said: “I don’t know what it is, I’ve just always been very driven and if you want to do something badly enough then you’ll find a way.

“My son was four, my daughter had just been born and I was working full-time. I suppose in hindsight it was a lot to take on, but thankfully it paid off and I like to think it’s shown my children, who are now grown up and following their own careers, what can be achieved through hard work.”

Linda, now 53, took a course with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) before enrolling to do a degree at what is now the University of Central Lancashire. Because of her CILEx qualification, she was exempt from certain modules and managed to complete the three-year course in 12 months.

She studied her Legal Practice Course, a requirement for all aspiring lawyers before they can begin a training contract with a law firm, in the evenings to fit around her other commitments.

In 2008 – just three years after qualifying – Linda achieved her dream and was made partner at Stephensons Solicitors where she remained until moving to Slater and Gordon earlier this year.

Linda, who was born and brought up in Preston and now lives in Cottam with husband Tony, will head up the firm’s residential property operation based out of the firm’s flagship office in Manchester city centre. Teams handle everything from sales and purchases to transfers of equity, remortgages and lease extensions.

She added: “I was at Stephensons for 11 years so I felt it was time for a new challenge.

“I’ve worked in property for more than 20 years and have a lot of experience and ideas which I’m really looking forward to putting into practice.”