Sharon first joined Steele Raymond more than three decades ago as a legal secretary. A short spell away confirmed what she valued: professional standards, mutual respect and the chance to influence how work gets done. Nine months later she re-joined on part time hours and has grown with the firm ever since, describing it simply as “a place where I am able to do my best work”.
Sharon’s long-standing role supports Emma Stainwright and the wider Residential Development team. The relationship is informal yet disciplined: Sharon anticipates what Emma and others in the team will need and raises questions early. Weekly check-ins keep priorities clear and allow honest feedback in both directions. Emma credits Sharon’s forward planning with making complex matters, such as a long-running development deal, run smoothly.
Sharon treats quiet periods as opportunities to tidy up and improve systems, for example creating checklists for file-opening and searches to guide fee-earners to provide information in the right format first time. Under pressure, Sharon partners with her secretary colleagues to balance the workload and ensure everything is completed seamlessly.
Colleagues describe Steele Raymond as open and decent, and Sharon’s experience reflects that of others. Partners are friendly, flexible and supportive. Informal gatherings are more like a group of friends getting together than a ceremony. Growth has brought new faces and fresh technology, yet the expectation that people help and assist one another remains non-negotiable.
Sharon’s career shows that longevity comes from attitude rather than title. Adaptability, positivity and a willingness to improve processes count for more than prior sector experience. In return the firm offers trust, genuine appreciation and space to shape how support is delivered. For anyone who wants to build a lasting, influential career behind the front-line lawyers, Steele Raymond provides the platform.
