Blackstone Chambers' Joanna Pollard recounts the highs and lows of her career at the Bar – and why court's the place to be

Why did you become a barrister?

I particularly wanted to be a lawyer as I enjoy getting to grips with detail and problem-solving. I discovered the excitement of litigation from time spent as a summer student at a City firm of solicitors, but it became apparent that more often than not the solicitor in charge of the case hands it over to a barrister just as it gets interesting. I believed that I would have flexibility and autonomy as a self-employed barrister and that has turned out to be the case.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

My various pupil masters who spent valuable time teaching me the ropes in 1993-94. The learning curve during pupillage is incredibly steep.

What's your proudest professional moment?

Taking judgment in the House of Lords in June 2006 in an important decision on the scope of state immunity in English and public international law. I had advised and represented the client in this case since it had begun before a Master in January 2003 (I had a leader before the Court of Appeal and House of Lords) and we overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal. At the time I was most preoccupied with not falling off the step as I walked backwards after bowing to their Lordships and was subsequently mortified to learn that my friends had seen me on the 10 O'Clock News looking, I was told, "very serious".

…and worst day on the job?

In the early days, I had to take over at the last minute the representation of a client in a trial in the High Court where both parties were legally aided. The parties hated each other, having ended a personal relationship with each other; it was my first-ever trial in the High Court, I was desperately inexperienced and under-prepared and the elderly judge, who clearly took a dim view of public money being spent on it, made it clear that he considered it all to be my fault and blamed it all on me. To cap it all, my opponent (in behaviour which I have since found to be totally unrepresentative of the Bar) took advantage of my inexperience. There are no polite words to describe how odious his behaviour towards me was. This went on for a week: my five worst days, which have yet to be surpassed.

What distinguishes Blackstone Chambers from the competition?

We have by far the best roof terrace with unbeatable views along the river in each direction – perfect for Friday sundowners in the summer.

What advice would you give to young barristers starting out?

Do as much research as you can into the different areas of practice and different sets of chambers. Do as many mini-pupillages as you can so that you get a good idea of the different opportunities available. Aim high and work hard – you will find it much easier to transfer to a different set of chambers in the event that you are not offered tenancy or to a different field of work if you have a pupillage and recommendations from a good set of chambers under your belt.

What's the best part of your job?

I love that each week is different and by the end of the week I could be working on something completely different or even in a completely different place to that envisaged at the beginning of the week. I like coming into contact with lay clients from all different walks of life. I enjoy being responsible for coming up with a solution to their problems. And nothing, but nothing, beats a win after a good day in court.

Is a happy work-life balance possible at the Bar?

Yes. You have to put the hours in at the beginning, there's no avoiding that, but as long as you're very disciplined and work efficiently, a good work-life balance is attainable. Add to that the pleasant environment that we work in and the fact that your colleagues in Chambers are all intelligent and fun equals who support – rather than challenge – you in your work (unless you're against somebody from your own set, in which case the gloves generally come off!).

What annoys you most about the legal profession?

Lawyers as a group are pathologically incapable of agreeing on drafts of letters, pleadings, submissions or even committee minutes without giving in to the temptation to tinker with or 'improve' the wording. Trying to agree amendments to a chambers constitution is a process that
would challenge the most hardened United Nations negotiator.

Do today's Bar Vocational Course students have it easier or harder than your generation of barristers?

There is even greater competition for places than when I started at the Bar, with the result that the qualifications and experience that the top candidates have acquired become more and more impressive as the years go by. Trying to find something that will mark you out from the impressive competition seems to me to be harder than ever.

How did you secure a pupillage?

I achieved a first-class degree from my university and did five mini-pupillages before I started applying for pupillage (the system was different then). My interviews passed in a blur so I cannot say what I did to impress those who ultimately gave me a pupillage. Do make sure you research the set you are being interviewed by. Applicants have been known to give firm (and utterly wrong) views in interviews about cases they purport to have studied at length without appreciating that the barrister who did the case is sitting on the other side of the interview table.

Joanna Pollard is a tenant at Blackstone Chambers.

The article appears in the Spring 2007 edition of the Legal Week Student supplement. Click here for a full list of articles. To order a hard copy email [email protected] or ring 020 7004 7422

Legal Week Student Spring 2007