Meet the Team – Sara Gould
Our Partners are a surprisingly shy bunch but despite their protests we decided it was time to put them under the spotlight and find out a bit more about what makes them tick both in and out of the office.
First job you ever had? I worked on the checkout at Safeway (now defunct) which now I say out loud makes me feel a million years old!
What led you to work in this field? I was working as a paralegal for a Clin Neg firm in London after graduating. One of the Partners told me I had a good head for costs and that I should talk to Matthew Harman next time he came in… the rest is history.
Best piece of advice anyone has ever given you? To be kind and to slow down when I talk!
What do you feel is the biggest strength of our company right now? I think the firm is the best it’s ever been – we have a varied case load and a growing client base and everyone works hard and is happy to lend a hand when someone is overrun with work. This job can sometimes feel quite solitary so it’s nice to have colleagues to turn to.
What’s your most used productivity hack? I set timers to help me focus and I am always suitably caffeinated.
What’s the best thing about being a costs lawyer? I really enjoy the varied cases we see. After the advent of budgeting, it feels good to see a case part-way through and then again at the end so you can see the outcome for a client.
What’s the worst thing about being a costs lawyer? People who are unnecessarily combative in negotiations can be quite unpleasant… oh, and points of dispute that go on and on and on…
What would you be if you weren’t a costs lawyer? I’m a big musical theatre fan so in an ideal world I’d be on the West End in Les Mis.
Biggest misconception about costs lawyers? That we are boring.
How do you explain what you do for a living to family and friends? If they ask, I tend to mumble something about the law and maths before swiftly changing the subject.
Work related achievement that you’re proud of? Becoming a Partner in 2015 was a very proud moment for me.
Biggest work pet peeve? Did I already say unnecessarily long points of dispute? I think I hate them so much that I will happily have them as an answer twice!
If you could change one thing about your job what would it be? I’m not a massive fan of writing narratives to bills if I’m honest. Perhaps we could do away with those?
What activities do you enjoy outside of work? I love hanging out with my kids and spend most weekends ferrying them to their various activities but when I have time for myself I am a voracious reader of crime thrillers which is a habit I picked up from my Granny.
What are you currently binge watching? I’m never not re-watching Seinfeld but we’ve recently started The Wire again which I love.
Do you have any pets? Can we see a photo? We have a 2 year old black Lab called Cosmo and he is a tonic to most of lifes’ ills. He spends most of his days asleep in the office but making sure that everyone who enters the office gets a very waggy greeting.
If you could have dinner with one famous person who would it be? I’m a huge fan of Richard Osman’s books so dinner with him would be great I think.
Do you have a hidden talent? I cook the best lasagne you’ve ever tasted, thanks to my Nonna. I don’t give out the recipe, so don’t ask!
Favourite sport to watch? What about to play? I’m lucky in that my mum and dad are South African and Italian respectively so rugby, cricket and football all featured heavily growing up. My husband is a long-suffering Spurs fan so I guess I am too by proxy. I have never been particularly sporty I must admit… far better for all involved if I stand on the sidelines cheering.
