Stefanie Hughes explains what it means to a professional support lawyer and shares how she helps the commercial team stay ahead of legal and market developments
As a professional support lawyer in Shoosmiths’ commercial team, Stefanie Hughes equips the firm’s lawyers with the up-to-date knowledge they need to deliver sharp, commercially focused advice to clients. Drawing on her experience advising global technology companies, she tracks legal, economic and technological trends to produce internal insights, research notes and thought-leadership pieces that keep Shoosmiths’ Commercial and Tech teams ahead of the curve.
Ahead of this afternoon’s virtual student event, ‘Understanding Corporate Law Firms — with Shoosmiths’, Hughes spoke with Legal Cheek Careers about her role, the value of staying informed, and her advice for aspiring commercial lawyers.
Could you walk us through your route into law and how that journey led to becoming a Professional Support Lawyer (PSL)?
Prior to joining Shoosmiths as a PSL, I spent my legal career working in-house with global technology companies. I also trained and qualified in-house, an experience which equipped me with a deeply commercial and pragmatic approach to legal issues and problem solving. Having advised on a broad range of matters — relating to privacy, e-commerce, advertising, and complex IP licensing — I was drawn to the PSL role at Shoosmiths where I’d be able to apply my expertise in supporting our Commercial and Tech teams.
What drew you to a career at Shoosmiths?
I wanted to join a firm that champions social mobility, diversity and inclusion. I researched the different initiatives and outreach work and was confident that Shoosmiths was deeply committed to progression in these areas. We can join various inclusion networks or even the ‘Shadow Board’, which brings diverse perspectives from around the firm to the attention of senior management.
I also knew I wanted to be at a firm at the forefront of innovation. Shoosmiths is leading the way with AI adoption by empowering its legal advisors to utilise this nascent technology in a safe and responsible manner for the benefit of its clients.
What motivated you to transition from client-facing legal work into a professional support role?
Having worked on a variety of different issues and transaction types throughout my career, I knew I wanted to utilise this knowledge and experience to support the provision of pragmatic and commercially relevant advice. As a PSL, my role is not client facing, so I am able to sit back from transactions and consider a broader range of issues and knowledge management, which I enjoy.
What does your role as a PSL in the commercial team involve on a day-to-day basis?
I support both the Commercial & Tech teams, which means my remit is incredibly broad. The variety is one of the best things about my role, and two days are rarely the same. I keep our legal advisors up to date with the latest developments, updates and trends. I also prepare internal briefings which are relevant to our practice areas, research specific matters, and help to draft insights for our website and external publications.
How does your work support the fee-earning lawyers and the firm’s wider commercial practice?
My goal is to ensure that our legal advisors have the most up-to-date knowledge and insights that they can apply to the matters they are working on. This is crucial to ensure our fee-earners are equipped to provide exemplary service to all clients. I also support the wider commercial practice by sharing knowledge with the firm’s internal network of PSLs, helping to promote consistency within all practice areas.
What kinds of projects or initiatives are you typically involved in — for example, knowledge sharing, legal updates, or innovation tools?
I am constantly ‘horizon-scanning’, keeping pace with new legislation, as well as shifts in the economic and geopolitical landscape. The rapid advancement of AI is a prime example of how quickly things can change. It therefore follows that in order to equip our teams with knowledge that is current and relevant, I must also maintain awareness of new product launches, general consumer sentiment and the workings of such technologies. This broader awareness informs the advice I give, the internal and external content I produce, and the thought-leadership pieces I draft.
How can aspiring solicitors show genuine commercial awareness beyond just reading the news — what practical steps make a difference?
Try to supplement your reading of the news by taking the practical step of talking about the news. You don’t need to spend long on this, but each day, aim to strike up a conversation with family or friends on a particular news story and explain why it is of interest. Talking about an issue can help to solidify your understanding of it and can also prompt alternative views and issues you may not have considered.
From your perspective, what separates a good trainee from a great one in the commercial team?
Understanding your client — which means understanding their business, commercial aims, and the landscape within which they operate. This is what takes commercial advice from good to excellent. You may be able to draft a contract according to generally accepted contracting principles, but you need to be able to tailor that contract specifically to the needs of the client based on those external factors.
What do you wish more applicants understood about the realities of commercial law in practice?
Practising commercial law can be incredibly exciting and intellectually rewarding, but those interested in this area should be aware that not all commercial transactions are created equal — some are more exciting than others! The role can be incredibly document heavy, and complex negotiations can last months (even years). This is easier to deal with if you are genuinely interested in this practice area, so I would advise getting as much experience as possible in multiple areas to ensure that commercial law is right for you.
What trends or challenges do you see shaping commercial law over the next few years?
The pace at which technology is developing will continue to impact commercial law over the coming years. The way in which advisors deliver their services and communicate with clients will be shaped by these advancements, and the legal profession will need to keep pace with this.
Stefanie Hughes will be speaking at ‘Understanding corporate law firms — with Shoosmiths’, a virtual student event taking place THIS AFTERNOON (11 November) from 3pm to 5pm. Secure one of the final few places.
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