I was so delighted to have this conversation with Ren Behan because I knew I’d get two rousing stories for the price one – her career journey (criminal lawyer turned food writer and then returning to the law after a 12 year career break) and an insight into the word of Rayden Solicitors, a firm I’ve admired for many years because of their uncommonly excellent an award-winning approach to flexible working.
Back in 2006 when I’d been out of the City for two years and just had my first child, I met a lot of other new mothers in St Albans – where I still live - who were mainly lawyers, accountants and management consultants. The message I heard from them was that it was nigh on impossible to return to those big jobs on anything less than a full time contract or the old chestnut of five days in four at 80% pay.
The stories I was hearing was the catalyst for me writing my book “Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work (available in all good bookshops, Amazon and on Kindle). BUT Rayden’s was bucking the trend and actively enticing City lawyers by offering them part-time positions. Katherine knew she couldn’t compete with City salaries but arguably, she could offer something more precious to her would-be team of lawyers: flexibility and more time for life outside of work.
Katherine set up Rayden’s Solicitors in 2005 and the latest Legal 500 and Chambers rankings guides have described the firm as “Arguably the best non-London law firm specialising in family law.”
Katherine’s recognised by her professional peers, including the major London practices, as “the doyenne of family law”, "She's very much at the top of her job and the best individual in the area." She’s also been described as “a force to be reckoned with. Outstanding leadership, tenacious work ethic, she always delivers no matter what.”
So, to this particular episode. I talked to Ren about Katherine Rayden, founder and senior partner at the family law firm, Rayden Solicitors. Ren is a criminal lawyer turned food journalist and author who returned to the law in 2019 after over a decade away. We talk about why and how she decided to come back to law and the attractive, inclusive culture Katherine Rayden has created at Hertfordshire’s leading specialist family law firm. The latest Legal 500 and Chambers rankings guides have described Rayden’s as “Arguably the best non-London law firm specialising in family law.”
Ren marked Katherine out as a ‘brilliant boss’ for the following reasons:
1. Commitment to her team’s professional development
2. Commitment to flexible working
3. Firm-wide focus on wellbeing
Ren also shared her ‘most regrettable line manager experience’ (not from Katherine) which was inflexibility at the Crown Prosecution Service when she wanted to return after her second baby. She was told only senior prosecutors could work part-time and this ultimately led her to leave the law.
The one people manager Ren would like to be common practice is a focus on people’s strengths.
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