Spotlight on Jessie Blain

Now a Partner in Geldards’ Commercial Property team with over 28 years of experience under her belt, Jessie didn’t take a traditional journey into law. Qualifying through CILEX whilst working full time, Jessie has spent years building a strong client base and honing her partnership skills.

We talk to Jessie about how her entry route into the legal profession has shaped her work ethic and helped her navigate the highs and lows of her career.

How did you start your legal career?

I left school with some strong A-level grades, but rather than going straight to University, I was keen to gain employment while I decided what to do next.  My Dad, who has been a role model all my life, offered to help.  He took a walk around Cardiff where we lived, looking at local businesses that might have an opening.

After sending off dozens of letters, I found an office junior role at a local law firm and started my legal journey aged 18 years old. I thrived in the office environment, and before long, a partner in the Property team spotted my potential and encouraged me to start on the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) route into the legal profession – a means to qualify as a lawyer, whilst continuing to work full time.

I was already loving my work in commercial property and keen to build a career in the law, so I jumped at the chance of studying whilst gaining valuable experience from the day job. A year later I took up a junior secretarial role at Geldards, working full time for Property Partner Susanne Bradley, and studying hard in every spare minute.  Missing lunch breaks to study paid off, and four years later I had completed the CILEX course, gaining distinctions in all my assignments. Throughout my studies, my Dad continued to be a huge support, picking me up from late-night classes and helping me revise for exams.

By age 22 I had completed the CILEX course.  However, in those days you could not become a Fellow until you were 25, so I had to wait a little longer to qualify.  For me, studying with CILEX had meant I had already found an area of law that I loved, and I gained significant experience at a time when my contemporaries were only just starting out.

“I jumped at the chance of studying whilst gaining valuable experience from the day job.”

Did you continue with your qualification journey?

After an enjoyable eight-year stint at Geldards working in the Residential and Commercial Property teams, I felt I needed to further build on my experience and expertise.  I moved to another Cardiff law firm where I spent the next eleven years advising high-net-worth clients, developers and public sector clients on Residential and Commercial Property matters.  I was (without realising it at the time) building up a strong client following.  During this time, I was also seconded to Welsh Government twice, gaining valuable experience working in-house for a public sector client.

During the early stages of my career, given my passion for property law, I decided to complete a part time LLM (Masters) course in Advanced Commercial Property Law at Northumbria University. I learnt so much I could put to good use in my work and went on to pass with Distinction.

“I was (without realising it at the time) building up a strong client following”.

How did your move to London come about?

My reputation in the marketplace as a lawyer with exceptional client relationship management, and a strong client following grew. I was fortunate to be approached by a London City law firm in 2017 to establish a brand-new Real Estate team for them in Cardiff. This gave me exposure to both London-based and international clients and I subsequently moved to work within the London based Real Estate team. I really thrived working with likeminded individuals and teams. My career rapidly progressed and I made Partner in 2022.

Sadly, due to various external factors the firm collapsed and entered administration at short notice in 2023.  Despite receiving offers from other London firms, I was keen to find somewhere that would be right not only for myself, but for my client following and my loyal paralegal Safa.  Having worked with me since she graduated Safa was (and continues to be) an invaluable asset to my team, and it was extremely important to me that we remained together.

“I really thrived working with likeminded individuals and teams.

Your career came full circle and you returned to Geldards’ Commercial Property team in 2023, what does your role involve?

When an opportunity arose to return to Geldards and bring Safa with me, I embraced it wholeheartedly.  Working in Geldards’ Commercial Property team has proven to be the perfect move at this stage of my career.  I now act as the client relationship partner for major clients across the firm and manage a portfolio of high-net-worth clients, advising clients on all elements of their property transactions.

One of my proudest achievements is managing a large team servicing a major London local authority trading company.  We act on significant portfolio projects for them, including the acquisition of 135 properties in a deal worth £38m and most recently an acquisition of 73 properties worth £20m, and there will be further similar deals in the coming years.

“Working in Geldards’ Commercial Property team has proven to be the perfect move at this stage of my career.”

What still motivates you after almost thirty years in the industry?

Client care is central to everything I do and is how I’ve managed to build such a loyal client base, many of whom I have known since my 20s.  It’s the people and the relationships that motivate me to come to work in the morning.  Often lawyers tend to work on one big transaction for a client and then move on, but for me it’s about the longer term relationships and repeat instructions.

My clients come to me every time they need legal assistance, not just on property matters. That might include drafting a will, a matrimonial dispute or acquiring or selling a business. I pass that work to my team and cross-refer work to other Geldards departments. It’s important that my clients trust me and those I recommend.

“It’s the people and the relationships that motivate me to come to work in the morning.”

I take pride in being the client-care partner for all my clients, winning work for the firm and ensuring clients are well looked after. In the future, I see my career focusing even more on this area. I love to mentor and coach junior team members and hope that my alternative route into law shows junior colleagues that you can build a successful legal career by a non-traditional route.

“I love to mentor and coach junior team members.  I hope my alternative route into law shows you can build a successful legal career by a non-traditional route.”

What’s it like working at Geldards?

I had loved working at Geldards previously and was excited at the prospect of returning.  I had always been impressed with the professionalism of the firm and staff, and the quality of work. I believe this is a rare quality compared to many other firms and was one of the main reasons I was interested in re-joining.

I progressed significantly between leaving the firm in 2005 and returning in 2023, gathering many achievements and connections along the way. I often looked back fondly on my time at Geldards working for Susanne Bradley (Property Partner) who I feel was instrumental in training me to be the professional I am now. Susanne was a wonderful role model, and I learnt a lot from her at a very young age.

After a turbulent time with my previous firm closing, I wanted to move to a firm aligned with my qualities and values, which would enable me to flourish and expand my practice.  With significant contacts within the Cardiff and London areas, I wanted to develop, grow and build upon these already strong connections.   I set out to bring a young, energetic and dynamic approach to the Partnership at Geldards, armed with fresh and new ideas focused on Business Development, client relationships and encouraging and supporting the younger members of the Firm.

I hope I have made a difference since re-joining in 2023 and like to think I have added value to the already good name and excellent reputation of Geldards.

“Susanne was a wonderful role model, and I learnt a lot from her at a very young age.”

And finally…. how do you decompress and find work-life balance?

My professional life is extremely busy, and I enjoy the challenge of working in a fast-paced environment.  However, I think it’s just as important to have a life outside of work.

Family life is very busy; with four stepchildren there is never a dull moment, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I have always loved keeping fit and carve out time around my other commitments to train.  In my younger years I was a Welsh Champion Trampolinist and competed nationally for Welsh Schools. I was a triathlon club member for many years and enjoy the challenge of open water swimming competitively as part of the triathlons, I love the satisfaction of making it to the finish line – hopefully in a good time!

“Family life is very busy; with four stepchildren there is never a dull moment, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”