Amy Baugh first joined Steele Raymond as a placement student while studying law at Bournemouth University. Today, she’s a solicitor in the Family Team and an active member of the firm’s ESG committee. Her journey – from placement to solicitor – has been defined by support, collaboration, and the chance to shape both her specialism and the wider culture of the firm. “From the moment I stepped through the door, I knew this was the kind of place I wanted to build my career,” she says. “Eight years later, it still feels the same.”
Amy first encountered Steele Raymond when the firm’s chairman came to speak during her first week at university. “I’d worked in customer service, and the way he spoke about client care really resonated,” she says. “It felt sincere – and different from the way other firms presented themselves.” Her placement year confirmed that initial impression. “I rotated through three departments and saw how people interacted across all levels. There was no hierarchy – you could ask anyone a question.” What stood out most was the investment in her development: from reviewing draft letters with partners to attending networking events as a student. “I didn’t feel like I was watching law happen – I felt part of it.”
Now a qualified solicitor, Amy supports clients through deeply personal and often complex family matters – from divorce and financial settlements to child arrangements. “It’s a people-first area of law,” she explains. “You need legal precision, of course – but also empathy, perspective, and the ability to listen properly.” She brings a collaborative mindset to her work, often liaising directly with other family lawyers to resolve matters swiftly and constructively. “We’re not trying to score points – we want to get the best outcome for both parties, ideally without going to court.” Amy is also a committed networker, regularly attending YRes (junior family lawyer) events and even leading early-morning sea swims with fellow lawyers to foster connection and resilience.
One of the biggest constants in Amy’s journey has been the culture of support. “Even during training, we had regular feedback and monthly reviews. That space to ask questions – without fear – makes all the difference when you’re learning,” she says. “And that hasn’t changed since qualifying.” Recognition plays a big role, too. “This can be an emotional job, but when a partner takes the time to say they heard you handling a difficult call really well – or you get a message from the managing partner – it means a lot.” The firm’s open culture and sense of community were a major draw early on and have remained central ever since. “It still feels like a family. There’s pride in the work – but also room for humour, connection, and compassion.”
Amy lives just twenty minutes from the office and finds the Dorset lifestyle a perfect complement to her work. “The beach is five minutes away – we even do litter picks there as part of our ESG volunteering days,” she says. “And I’m fully addicted to cold-water swimming.” Having grown her career here, she values the balance of meaningful legal work with a slower pace of life than London offers. “You can handle weighty cases, make an impact in the community, and still get home for bedtime or walk your dog before work. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Since joining Steele Raymond, Amy has grown from placement student to trusted adviser – and has played a part in shaping the firm’s future through her role on the ESG committee. “It’s not just about legal work – it’s about embedding values like sustainability, community, and wellbeing into the fabric of how we operate.” The committee’s initiatives range from carbon-reduction projects and biodiversity efforts to press-for-pastries behaviour nudges and firmwide volunteering days. “It gives you a voice across the firm – whether you’re a partner or trainee.”
Her advice to others? “If you want a place where you’re given responsibility, where people back you and invest in you, where you can grow your career and have a life – this is that place. I found my specialism here. And I found a firm that backs me to be more than just a solicitor.”
