My legal life: Rachael Jobson, Minster Law

I attended Sheffield University to study law. After graduating I was not sure about a career in law so I took some time to decide what I wanted to do. I took on various roles, including working in microbiology, before deciding that I wanted to use my degree. My passion did indeed lie in law. 

It has always been challenging to secure a training contract. I initially obtained a role as a paralegal for a firm that represented miners in the compensation scheme for chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is a background I am familiar with, living in an area of Northumberland that had many mines at the height of the coal industry. I also suffer from asthma and bronchiectasis so could empathise with clients.

I progressed within the firm, studying my LPC part-time and then gaining a training contract. After qualifying, I moved to Sintons’ personal injury team and was involved in the creation and development of its neurotrauma team. I specialised in brain injury as part of that process, further developing and refining my knowledge and experience before moving to Minster Law in January 2022 as its brain injury principal.

My brother suffered a significant wrist/hand injury in an accident while I was completing my training contract. This focused my attention on personal injury and the significant impact a solicitor can have on outcomes for someone who has suffered such a significant injury. I have always wanted to help people and I recognised this was a role that allowed me to provide support to those most in need at the worst time in their life.

My journey to specialising in brain injury felt like a natural one. My son has ADHD so I have lived experience of neurodiversity and its impact on behaviour, thought processes and information processing. This allows me to appreciate the frustrations and issues my clients are suffering.

'My brother suffered a significant injury in an accident while I was completing my training contract. This focused my attention on personal injury and the significant impact a solicitor can have'

While assisting in the development of the neurotrauma team at Sintons, I was approached by the then Headway north-east co-ordinator Alastair White. He was in the process of merging the three Northumberland Headway groups and asked me to become involved. I joined as secretary and we subsequently became a charity in our own right, affiliated with the national charity Headway.

I also volunteer for and assist in running Headway’s drop-in sessions. It is a part of my role I am very passionate about. The experiences I gain volunteering and interacting with our members allow me to fully appreciate the difficulties brain injury survivors have daily. Awareness of such issues helps us to direct the assistance we offer and in a wider way try to effect change while providing support on an individual basis for specific issues.

The interaction I have allows me to see long-term how my clients’ lives may be affected. This allows me to consider what I need to do to ensure they have the ability and means to cope. Both roles inform the other and make me a better advocate for both my clients and our charity members.

Many instances come to mind regarding cases I am particularly proud of. It is not always about reaching a settlement – as crucial as that is – but also the wins along the way that have led to the conclusion of a claim.

When you successfully negotiate an interim payment that allows a client to purchase a property that will mean they no longer have to struggle. Or you obtain funds for your client to attend residential rehabilitation to aid their recovery. Or when you see your client progressing from walking with aids to walking unaided. All these milestones stand out because at the time they happen, they are momentous moments for the client.

If I had to pick one case, it involved a motorcyclist who suffered a very significant brain injury. Against the odds he made a remarkable recovery, although he will be unlikely to return to remunerative employment, he can do fulfilling voluntary work. There were significant liability issues, but despite this we managed to negotiate a sizeable settlement that safeguards his future.