MEET THE TEAM

This week sees Tracey Baker put to the test in the latest of our Meet the Team series. Find out more about Tracey’s role within the firm and what she gets up to in her spare time.

Name:  Tracey Baker

Role: Managing Partner

Department:  Criminal Litigation

1.What is your proudest accomplishment (either personal or professional)?

Obtaining qualification through ILEX route after leaving school at 16 and starting my career as a legal secretary, and thereafter obtaining my higher rights of audience which enabled me to appear and conduct an appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice on behalf of a client who I had represented from arrest through to final appeal.

2.What do you like most about your job?

As a criminal lawyer the advocacy, as a managing partner having the privilege to oversee the practice and to actively manage, develop and encourage our team. We are only as good as the people who work for us and with us.

3.What do you like least about your job?

I have been part of the firm since 1988 and can say I have never once not wanted to come to work!  I count myself as very lucky.

4.What is the best gift you’ve ever given/received?

A chocolate cake made by a Navy Chef who I represented at court martial!  It really was amazing.

5.What does your ideal day look like?

Being a criminal advocate no day is the same, clients don’t get arrested according to a diary. An ideal day is a busy day.

6.What do you like to do in your spare time?

I really enjoy walking.  I did a couple of half marathons a few years ago but recently did a 26 mile charity walk and it has given me the walking bug.  A long coastal walk accompanied by my terrier is the best form of relaxation.

7.What is your dream job?

I have it!

8.What was the most interesting case you have dealt with at work?

There have been so many over the 30+ years, it is not always the case but the individuals.  I dealt many years ago with the Dartmoor Prison riots and even now having the opportunity at a site visit to go ‘up on the roof’ is one of the high points – literally!

9.Where is one place you’d love to travel to?

I sailed in the British Virgin Islands a few years ago and would love to go back – such a stunning place with amazing people who were so resilient after the hurricane.

10.What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My grandmother used to say ‘Do as you would be done by’ and following that seems to have served me well.