I’ve spent my entire professional life at DMA Law, and it truly feels like home. I first joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 1994 after doing work experience here as a school student, qualified in 1996, became a partner in 2005, and eventually stepped into the role of Managing Director. I started out in civil litigation, but over time I realised that my real passion is people – the people we serve and the people I’m privileged to work alongside every day.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: every person matters. Their story matters. And they deserve to feel valued, supported and cared for. I absolutely love working one to one with people to coach, mentor and encourage them to become the best version of themselves. When our team feels fulfilled, confident and happy at work, they do an exceptional job for our clients – it really is that straightforward.
In recent years, I’ve worked closely with the wider team to define our Core Purpose – guiding people to a better place through the provision of exceptional legal services, delivered with compassion – and to articulate the Core Values that shape how we behave as a community: dedication, positivity, empathy, respect, learning, and growth.
Together, we’ve also created our BHAG (our Big Hairy Audacious Goal): to change the world’s perception of lawyers by showing that we can be generous, human and a genuine force for good. It’s ambitious, but it’s a vision that energises me every day.
A big part of my role now is strengthening and developing the business so that DMA Law will continue to thrive long after my time here – not just as a successful law firm, but as a supportive community where people feel they belong and where the work we do genuinely changes lives.
Outside work, my life is grounded in family and faith. I live in a village just outside Darlington with my husband, our younger daughter, our cheeky cocker spaniel Barney and our black cat, Monica. My older daughter and son may have flown the nest, but I see them as often as I can, and I’m lucky to have my parents, brother and his family living nearby too.
I’ve been part of my local church for more than 40 years, where I now serve as a Deanery Synod representative as well as leading services and preaching several times a year. Faith, community, and connection all play a big part in my life.
When I get some downtime, you’ll usually find me enjoying music or a musical, watching a good film, reading, walking, doing a jigsaw to calm my mind, or appreciating great coffee and good food. I love board games too – though I’ve retired from Monopoly for everyone’s sake. Carcassonne is my current favourite.
Julie is one of the firm’s supervisors, and oversees and supports others in her team and across the firm.
