My legal life: Amy Planche, Carpenters Group

My older brother and I were the first in the family to go to university. He focused on IT (he is now a director of the Charity Commission) and I went into law. Mum said that I was around 8 when I declared that I would be a judge when I grew up. Although I got more realistic with my aims as I got older, my interest in the law never waned. 

I come from a working-class family – my mum was medically retired before I was born and my dad is a sheet metal worker. I always worked hard and loved learning but many people thought I was aiming too high, including family members, acquaintances of my parents, classmates and even teachers. As such, part of my ambition was borne from spite as I love to prove people wrong.

I was one of only 28 girls from my year who obtained an assisted place – the fees were reduced based on my parents’ earnings – at Merchant Taylors’ School for Girls. I went from being one of the brightest children in primary school to a middling student at best. Nevertheless, I worked hard and got the results I needed for university. I am aware of how fortunate I was to study there and the hardships my parents went through to give me that opportunity.

I obtained a law degree from Lancaster University in 2006, undertook the Legal Practice Course part-time at Liverpool John Moores and got my LLM in Legal Practice in 2010. After completing a training contract at Keith Park Solicitors in St Helens, I qualified as a litigation solicitor in 2011. I then worked in various firms throughout Merseyside before reaching Carpenters Group. I have been a solicitor in its defence department since 2017.

'I consider myself fortunate to work at a firm which cares about more than the bottom line. We support the local community and wish to contribute to the betterment of the city we are so proud to be part of'

I have been involved in the various charitable works Carpenters Group has undertaken. This includes volunteering at Claire House and Zoe’s Place, donating clothes for the homeless, bake sales, and of course supporting my colleagues in sponsoring a variety of activities to raise funds for both local and national charities. That includes any event that involved dressing to a theme or in a costume (such as wearing red for Valentine’s or dressing up for Halloween). I am also immensely proud of how much emphasis Carpenters Group places on social mobility and supporting the local community. I am always willing to get involved.

I have been an active member of our in-house EDI Committee since its formation. I am always keen to share my knowledge, experience and opinions in the hope of assisting in our continued progression.

In 2021, Carpenters Group asked colleagues to share their experiences for Pride Month. I wrote an article about my asexuality which was published on our Intranet and received positive feedback. In 2023 I was honoured by Carpenters Group at our Employee Recognition Awards as the first recipient of the ESG Award for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Through the committee, I was recently granted the opportunity to interview for several equity panels within the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and was recently made a member of its Women’s Equity Panel.

In 2021 I became a member of the Liverpool Law Society EDI Committee, of which I am currently deputy chair. I have assisted in the running of our meetings, including obtaining speakers (or speaking myself – such as sharing my experiences with mental health, and as a carer while working full-time as a solicitor) and drafting articles for Liverpool Law Magazine.

I am so glad that the profession is taking steps in respect of equity, diversity and inclusion. I consider myself fortunate to work at a firm which cares about more than the bottom line. We support the local community and wish to contribute to the betterment of the city we are so proud to be part of. I appreciate the support the firm has given me in respect of my mental health and most recently in dealing with my mother’s cancer diagnosis. Additionally, in respect of the opportunities I have obtained from an EDI perspective, understanding that there is more to my role than just my caseload.