Aspire Board Member Spotlight – an interview with Katie Barker, Associate, Addleshaw Goddard

Aspire Board Member Spotlight – an interview with Katie Barker, Associate, Addleshaw Goddard

Sophie Gould talks to Katie Barker who has been an Aspire Board Member for 18 months about her career path, how she has found being an Aspire Board member and the biggest opportunities within her role at Addleshaw Goddard.

 
Tell us a little bit about yourself 
Prior to qualifying in September 2019, I secured Network Rail Infrastructure Limited’s first training contract since 1995 and began my training in London in 2017. 
 
My two years with Network Rail far exceeded my expectations. I was fortunate enough to work in a rewarding environment and gain an appreciation of the many nuances that sit within the rail sector, (along with its many acronyms)!
 
I developed a keen interest in corporate work through internal projects with key business stakeholders at Network Rail and undertaking a six-month secondment to Dentons UK & Middle East LLP in their City corporate team. As a result of this, on qualification, I decided to move to my current role at Addleshaw Goddard, where I am an associate in the corporate team. 
 
Adding another string to my bow, (to want for a better phrase), I have been on the Advisory Board of the Aspire network for the past 18 months. I am committed to increasing awareness of this alternative route to qualification. Universities are increasingly cognisant of the need to promote a broad spectrum of professional roles within the legal industry, however, there is more that needs to be done to encourage disc

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About the author:
Sophie Gould

Sophie is Head of Learning & Development at F-LEX Legal - an award winning legal tech startup helping law firms and organisations manage a flexible work force and supporting lawyers to make smarter life/work choices. 

As part of her portfolio career Sophie runs various learning and development and networking forums for in-house lawyers and mentors junior lawyers.  These include Flying Solo for small and solo legal teams and Aspire for junior in-house lawyers which she runs for LexisNexis UK.  She also works with schools and organisations to promote social mobility within the legal profession, working with The Social Mobility Business Partnership and Aspiring Solicitors. 

She trained as a lawyer in the City and worked as an in-house lawyer for 10 years including as Head of Legal for Virgin Radio and Ginger Media Group.  

Outside of work she is happily married with three sons and enjoys morning walks along the beach with her two dogs.