Information About Shelley Louise - Harrogate trainer

Personal Description:

I am a senior level property lawyer with a passion for knowledge sharing and inspiring those who feel stuck, to take the next step and achieve their career and life goals.
Having grown up within an underprivileged area, I am well aware of the challenges and barriers many individuals encounter when trying to establish their professional career, especially when looking to take the step towards promotion and reaching senior level. I am committed to continue to actively engage within the legal sector and related professional practices in order to create a real change, engaging in round table discussions and raising topic profiles.
An active Board Member of Women in Social Housing Yorkshire and Humber, I have led the discussions on a number of prevalent topics. One such seminar in conjunction with BBC News, focused on how we can promote careers in housing for younger generations and break down barriers and stereotypes still held by many, so beliefs that careers in housing and the law can only be accessed by those of a certain gender or background, can become a thing of the past. I am passionate about getting this message across, because I have lived through and overcome these challenges myself.
When relatively new to my firm, I made the step up from solicitor to Managing Associate within 6 months and am proud to say that I embraced the role of leading a team to success.
I now manage a team of professionals from those just starting out in their careers, ranging from paralegals, trainee solicitors, newly qualified solicitors to mid level managers. Those colleagues have said that I have supported them to gain confidence in their abilities and in the workplace and that I have shown them that despite background or challenges, there are no limits placed upon their commitments to succeed, only those which we place upon ourselves - I am able to show you how to overcome that. This has in turn led to individuals wanting to work specifically with me to not only benefit from my knowledge within the property and housing sector, but for personal development, seeing me as a mentor and role model.

I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and anxiety related issues 10 years ago, however, I have used my condition as a positive motivator in order to promote well being and self-care to colleagues, centred around time management skills and coping mechanisms for busy working periods; this is something which I very much encourage within my team.
I actively participate in mentoring programmes for schools and universities and beyond; I have supported university and law students to navigate through the challenges of their studies, application processes, CV writing workshops and time management skills. Once such programme which I have been involved in provides additional education and support to disadvantaged young persons based in underperforming schools.
Being a strong ambassador for women within the workplace – as part of a series of seminars delivered by Women in Social Housing, I have spoken candidly about my personal life experiences, including infertility and miscarriage, the support that can be gained not only from friends and family and professionals, but also from those in the workplace, raising awareness of what the workplace can do more of to support women through life challenges. I provide a platform of a "safe space" for women to gain support and comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their experiences and I provide the right support o help the to navigate through.

SOME RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS
• October 2023 – Published in Chambers and Partners as an Associate to Watch
• April 2023 – Shortlisted for Woman of the Future (Independent) Award at Inside Housing's
Women in Housing Awards
• WBD Ambassador at WBD Sponsored Yorkshire Children's Charity Event 2022 Residential Real
Estate Awards, presenting the Residential Developer of the Year Award on behalf of my firm.

Training Specialisms:

I am a Managing Associate with 10 years' post qualified experience in all aspects of commercial and residential property transactions, specialising in social housing and residential development. I have worked with private clients and limited companies as well as a range of public sector organisations, including housing associations, local authorities and those in the healthcare sector.

I have mentored young school leavers up to senior level lawyers and professionals looking to take the next step in their career or to make life choices, helping them to break down the barriers of self limiting belief, anxiety and confidence issues.

I empower women to make holistic lifestyle changes which make the biggest impact.

Having studied Law at A Level, through to Batchelor of Law with Honours and then on to the Legal Practice and Professional Skills Course I have over 10 years post qualified experience and am able to teach a variety of legal subjects from A Level upwards with a particular specialism in residential and commercial property and social housing law.

Training Methods:

Inspiring through lived experience
Goal Setting and Career Progression
Time Management Skills
CV Writing
Job Interview Practice
Breaking through the barrier to attain next level career status
Developing a "can do" ability and mental resilience - we will look at your current position and establish where you want to be in the short and longer term, developing a strategy along the way where you get to know and value "You".
Being straightforward whilst at the same time highly approachable, I am able to use my outgoing personality and professional abilities to motivate individuals around me with the same energy, commitment and drive.