Meet Emily Cliffe and Matilda Jones

Emily and Matilda both qualified as Solicitors last month, joining the Will’s, Trusts and Estates Team and the Commercial Property Team respectively. We’ve given them a little time to settle into their new roles, but now it is time for the all-important Q & A!

Congratulations on qualifying! How does it feel to finally reach this milestone?

Emily: It feels great! The journey has been long, but every challenge along the way has been worth it. Being able to do what I love every day is such a privilege.

Matilda: Definitely! There were times when it felt like this day would never come, but now that it’s here, I feel excited for what’s ahead. The hard work has paid off, and now I get to focus on becoming the best Solicitor I can be. One of my standout moments was the day I received my training contract offer – it was such a huge moment of relief and achievement!

What made you want to become a Lawyer?

Matilda: I was really into crime documentaries when I was younger, and I thought the Solicitor’s role of defending criminals looked really interesting. But once I started studying law, I realised I loved the problem-solving aspect of it. It is safe to say the area I have qualified into couldn’t be further from criminal law but it definitely keeps me interested and is an area I thoroughly enjoy.

Emily: For me, it was always about helping people. I’ve always had a caring nature, and being a Solicitor allows me to make a real difference in people’s lives. In my role, I can provide support and reassurance to clients when they need it most. That’s what drives me every day.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Matilda: No two days are the same! I start by checking emails and making a to-do list, but from there, anything can happen. One day, I might be drafting legal documents, the next, I could be meeting clients or even reviewing historic title deeds from the 1800s!

Emily: It’s the same for me – every day is different. I could be drafting Wills, meeting clients to discuss estate planning, or helping someone navigate the legal aspects of losing a loved one. I also visit clients in hospitals or care homes to make sure their affairs are in order. It’s a mix of technical work and client interaction, which I really enjoy.

What are your aspirations for the future?

Matilda: I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredibly talented Solicitors during my training, and I just aspire to keep learning and growing. I want to be as knowledgeable and respected in my field as they are.

Emily: I completely agree. I also want to continue building strong relationships with clients and making a real difference in their lives. I’m excited to see where my career takes me!

After a busy day in the office, what do you enjoy doing outside work?

Matilda: I love going to music events, trying new restaurants and exploring new places. I also enjoy running and going to the gym. I’ve actually signed up for the Manchester Half Marathon in October – it’ll be the longest distance I’ve ever run, so will be great achievement for me – wish me luck!

Emily: That’s amazing! I love running too, as well as walking my dogs and spending time with friends. I’m always up for trying new things and travelling to new places – anywhere with a bit of sunshine is a bonus!

If you could give your 15-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Matilda: Stop worrying and just keep going – everything will work out! Oh, and maybe lay off the fake tan…

Emily: I would reassure myself that there’s no rush to have everything figured out. Life has a way of diverting your plans, and that’s okay. Just embrace the now and trust the journey.

Who do you admire in the business world?

Emily: Liz Earle. She became famous from just four beauty products after spotting a gap in the market at 32. She’s written over 30 books on healthy living and was even awarded an MBE. I think she proves that you don’t need to have your life figured out by your mid-twenties—success can come at any time.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Matilda: I’d love to travel back in time and experience different periods of history. Imagine seeing dinosaurs roam the earth – how incredible would that be?

I’d particularly like to be my mum when she was in her 20’s so I could see what her life was like when she was my age! Over the years she has told me so many stories of memories she has from her younger years, such as riding a motorbike to Germany or living in Australia and New York so I would like to be able to experience the stories she has told me and also find out things I know she definitely has not told me!

Emily: I’d love to visit another dimension and see how my life would have turned out if I’d made different choices. A bit of a ‘butterfly effect’ experiment! I’m always wondering, “What if?”

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Matilda: It’s not one specific moment, but every time I’m trusted to take the lead on a matter and receive positive feedback from a client or supervisor, it’s a great feeling. Those moments remind me why I love what I do.

Emily: I completely agree. Every time I help a client navigate a difficult situation, it reinforces that I’ve chosen the right career.

What key skills have you learned during your training that you’d pass on to a graduate just starting out?

Matilda: Three things:

1. Take action – If something is worrying you or you think you’ve made a mistake, don’t sit on it. Address it straight away, and it’s usually never as bad as you think.
2. Always carry a notepad – On my first day, I walked into a supervisor’s office without one and spent the rest of the day trying to remember everything they said!
3. Keep going – When I started commercial property as a paralegal I genuinely felt like I would never understand it. However now I am qualifying into the area so it just shows it you keep showing up and working hard you will get there!!

Emily: I’d say resilience is the biggest lesson. My path to becoming a Solicitor has been longer than most, and there were moments I thought about giving up. But I’ve learned that if you really want something, it’s not a matter of ‘if’, but ‘when’. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions – even the ones you think are silly!

Finally, how would your friends describe you?

Emily: I wasn’t sure, so I asked them! Apparently, I’m loyal, hardworking, and very caring – which was really nice to hear.

Matilda: I wasn’t sure either, so I asked my colleagues. They said I was ‘happy and bright’ – that made my day!

 

A big thank you to Emily & Matilda for taking the time to chat with us. We looking forward to see all that they achieve in their careers!

Emily can be contacted at ecliffe@butcher-barlow.co.uk

Matilda can be contacted at mjones@butcher-barlow.co.uk

Both are based at our Gadbrook Park, Northwich office.