In the bustling legal landscape of London, Susie Barter exemplifies expertise and innovation in family law.
"I've been a lawyer for 25 years and I trained in the City in family law. Looking back, I think I was fascinated with the interactions of people,” Susie states. This fascination led her to navigate through prestigious roles in London's prominent family law teams and serving as a judicial assistant at the Court of Appeal—an experience that provided invaluable insights into judicial processes.
However, it was the intersection of her career and personal life that marked a significant turning point. Establishing her own firm, Personal Rose and Co Limited, Susie embraced a modern approach, serving clients globally from her base in Kent—a pioneering move well ahead of the remote work trend accelerated by COVID-19.
The time came for Susie to contemplate taking a temporary step back from professional responsibilities. "After 25 years, I gave myself a year off," she shares, highlighting a pivotal moment of reflection. "But I was too young to retire," she laughs, her determination evident. This resolve brought her back to London, where an opportunity at Child & Child, a venerable institution tracing its roots back to 1850, beckoned—an opportunity to build and lead a family law team as Head of Family Law.
"By heading the team at Child & Child," Susie explains, her enthusiasm palpable, "I had the opportunity to build a team with the people I liked, and with the approach that I liked. It was an opportunity too good to miss."
In her role, Susie has steered the firm through a transformative period under new ownership. "Child & Child was bought in November 2022 by Adrian Biles and his family," Susie explains. His vision is to create a private client firm that services the full spectrum of private client needs," she continues, underscoring the firm's commitment to trust, integrity, and excellence as guiding principles. These values resonate deeply with Susie, aligning seamlessly with her own approach to client care—a philosophy rooted in holistic support rather than mere transactional service.
"My role also extends beyond overseeing the Family Law team," Susie explains. “It’s about integrating our expertise across disciplines to ensure our clients receive comprehensive support." She adds, "For me, it's vital to foster a team-based approach where every member understands the importance of exceptional client service."
Susie’s Leadership
Drawing from her experience of running her own practice, she emphasises responsiveness, transparency and empowerment as pillars of client relationships. "If a client calls, you call them back that day," she says.
Beyond the technical aspects of law, Susie underscores the human connection, a trait that has endeared her to clients who appreciate her accessibility and unwavering commitment. "Trust works both ways," Susie reflects warmly. "Whether I'm taking a call while riding a horse or ensuring a client in Dubai receives consistent care, it's about mutual respect and understanding."
Navigating the intricate world of family law is no small feat, and Susie’s career is defined by facing and overcoming challenges with resilience and resourcefulness. As she reflects on her journey, she acknowledges that her transition from practitioner to entrepreneur brought its own set of hurdles. "There are challenges in learning to run a business when you’re a lawyer.” This dual role demanded not only legal acumen but also business savviness, a balance she embraced with determination.
The weight of responsibility is a constant companion, especially when confronted with intricate legal matters and the high stakes of client representation. From compliance issues to complex litigation strategies, the buck stops with her. "There'll be times when there is nobody else to ask and it's my client and me."
Yet, Susie's approach remained steadfast, relying on her own expertise while leveraging professional networks and external resources when needed. "You learn to have confidence in your own abilities to look things up and get it right," she asserts, echoing the blend of self-reliance and strategic collaboration that defines her practice.
Personifying the “Ideal Leader” in the Legal Sector
At Child and Child, Susie embodies a blend of respect, empowerment, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. For Susie, respect is not just a token gesture, it's earned through leading by example and fostering a culture where mutual respect thrives. "Respect is earned by behaving in a way that you want your team to behave," she affirms.
Central to Susie’s approach is empowering her team to grow by sharing knowledge and fostering a collaborative environment. "Your team will grow if you take the time to teach them," she notes, bringing to the fore her commitment to nurturing professional development within her team. This supportive approach allows team members to thrive, knowing they have the space to learn and excel under her guidance.
While demanding excellence, she also believes in setting clear expectations and providing rationale behind decisions. "As a leader, it’s important to be prepared to take the decisions that need to be taken and to give direction," she explains. Transparency and communication are key, ensuring that everyone understands not just what needs to be done, but why it matters.
Susie also underscores the importance of resilience and learning from setbacks—a principle that is championed at the independent prep school where she is Chair of Governors. “Our pupils are taught that you have to be prepared to fail in order to learn" she asserts, “We can all remind ourselves of that”.
Envisioning a Legacy for the Future
Approaching the end of the conversation, Susie’s reflections on her legacy encapsulate a profound commitment to excellence and meaningful impact, both in her personal endeavours and within Child & Child. "I would like to look back and know that what I did, I did well," Susie muses, underlining her dedication to performing her duties to the best of her ability. This principle, instilled in her own children as well, reflects her belief that any task worth doing is worth doing well, a perspective she carries into her leadership at Child & Child.
Her journey from running her own practice to leading at Child & Child has reinforced valuable lessons in decision-making and adaptability. Taking on new roles, such as Chair of Governors at her children's former school, Susie has applied her skills in new contexts, demonstrating a versatility that underscores her belief that experience and knowledge is valuable in every setting "you will not find out if your skills are transferable unless you take opportunities as they arise" she states.
Susie Barter's legacy, therefore, is not just about personal achievements but also fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and client-centred service that permeates both her professional endeavours and the institutions she influences.
