2020s

Rosina Thomas – Junior Practice Manager, Keating

After completing my A-levels, I quickly realised that university wasn’t the path for me. I’ve always been a practical learner and the thought of sitting through more lessons and completing further coursework just didn’t appeal to me. Still, even in today’s world, there’s a lingering pressure, an almost automatic assumption, that university is the only way to achieve success. But as I’ve come to learn first-hand, that simply isn’t true.

One evening, while sitting around the dinner table with my family, probably halfway through a roast dinner, talk turned to my future. My family pointed out that I’d basically been our unofficial PA for years. My aunt then mentioned a friend of hers who worked as a Barristers’ Clerk. I’d never heard of the role before, and to be honest, it sounded a bit mysterious. But after speaking to her friend and doing some digging, I found myself genuinely intrigued. It seemed like the perfect blend of organisation, responsibility,and fast-paced work.

I reached out to a recruitment agency, hoping to get my foot in the door—but was met with the all-too-familiar line: “There aren’t any vacancies at the moment.” It was disheartening, but I stayed hopeful. Thankfully, they kept me in mind, and not long after (I was half way up Chancery Lane), they called to say there was an interview opportunity that same day at 5RB. I had about ten minutes to research what clerking actually involved (turns out it’s not a one-size-fits-all job) and learn what 5RB specialised in. With barely enough time to feel nervous, I walked into that interview and some how, got the job.

I started in February 2020, completely new to the world of clerking. From day one, I was welcomed by another junior female clerk who showed me the ropes and helped me settle in. We clicked instantly and have been best friends ever since. Although the more senior clerks and the Heads of Chambers were all male, I never once felt out of place or unheard. I was treated with respect, given responsibility, and made to feel like a valued part of the team.

But just a few weeks in, the world turned upside down. COVID-19 hit, and like so many others, I found myself working from home. As a brand-new Junior Clerk with little experience and a steep learning curve ahead of me, it was tough. I couldn’t perform many of my usual tasks remotely, and I worried about falling behind. However, by July 2020, I was back in London, supporting Chambers during one of the biggest media trials of the time… yes, it was the Depp v Heard case it was truly one of the most remarkable experiences of my career. Even at such an early stage in my clerking journey, it provided an incredible platform for learning and growth. The level of responsibility I was entrusted with, particularly during such an unprecedented time, was both challenging and rewarding. I gained firsthand experience in liaising with high-profile clients and navigating the complexities of sensitive litigation. It was a steep learning curve, but one that significantly accelerated my development, I was even photographed and made it into the national newspapers most days. It was surreal, empty corridors, masked faces, but the barristers who were in Chambers were genuinely grateful for the help. That sense of appreciation and teamwork from all levels meant the world to me.

As things gradually returned to normal, my responsibilities began to grow. I started managing day-to-day practice operations and worked closely with Georgina Gills, who had worked her way up through the ranks. She became a real role model for me. I could see myself in her position one day and that belief gave me purpose.

The old-school clerking culture I had heard about the one of long boozy lunches and male-dominated offices was fading. At 5RB, diversity and equality weren’t just buzzwords; they were embedded in the culture. Work was fairly allocated, regular diversity training was the norm, and people genuinely cared about inclusion. It was refreshing and motivating to be part of a Chambers that was actively evolving.

After three fulfilling years at 5RB, I was ready for a new challenge. I joined Keating Chambers, a leading set specialising in construction law, a field historically seen as male dominated. I expected to feel like a minority, but I was pleasantly surprised. The gender split in the staffing team, at all levels, was nearly even. I joined as an Assistant Practice Manager and found myself working closely alongside another female practice manager and a great clerking team that was not only highly skilled but also incredibly supportive.

Soon after I joined, one of the female Practice Managers went on maternity leave, the first clerk at Keating to do so. Her seamless return to work thereafter, supported by flexible hours and the option to work from home, sent a powerful message: this is a profession that’s finally catching up to the needs of modern working women. This in turn results in a higher level of retention in the staffing team.

At Keating, 18 of our 74 members are women, nearly a quarter of Chambers. This proportion continues to grow year on year, driven by the increasing number of women successfully completing pupillage and becoming tenants. This trend reflects broader developments at the Bar, where the flexibility of a self-employed practice, combined support by strong clerking teams, makes it entirely possible to balance a busy and demanding practice with family life, for those who choose that path.

After just a year at Keating, I was promoted. That moment felt surreal, less because of the title, and more because of what it represented. I had entered a profession I knew nothing about, grown into it through curiosity and resilience, and carved out a space where I felt confident and capable with the opportunities and high-level training Keating provide. Asa young woman in this field, that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.

Of course, not everything is perfect. There are still subtle challenges. Imposter syndrome creeps in sometimes, especially when speaking to more traditional solicitors who might assume the "Practice Manager" must be a man. I’ve answered calls where the person on the other end asks to speak to the manager, and when I say, “That’s me,” there’s a beat of surprise in their voice. Then there are some who breeze through the clerks’ room with a cheerful “Hi chaps!” a harmless habit, I’m sure, but one that hints at the days when clerking was an all-male domain. Things like that don’t bother me too much, but they do highlight how far we’ve come and how much further we can still go.

Despite this, I can confidently say that going into clerking has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. It’s a career filled with variety, structure, growth, and above all, fantastic people. No two days are the same, and the transferable skills I’ve gained are invaluable.

In fact, I used to joke that I’d never start a clerking dynasty but never say never. My younger brother has now joined the profession as a junior clerk, proudly following in my footsteps. Watching him begin his own journey fills me with pride, and it’s a reminder of just how far I’ve come.

In the next edition Ellie Hecht of Inn Legal will be summarising on where, as a recruitment consultant and former clerk, she envisages the role going and whether she has seen a shift in chambers requirements.