Spotlight On… Joanna Cotgrove

As this Saturday marks International Women’s Day, we are spotlighting a senior lawyer at Ashtons, Joanna Cotgrove. Jo joined the firm as a solicitor in 2016, took partnership in 2023 and became head of the family team in 2024.

Can you briefly explain your route into law?

I read philosophy at Exeter and then undertook the GDL course. Following this, I completed my LPC and then a training contract, which led me to qualification. I had three months “time to count” which reduced my training contract period, as I had worked for the CPS as a paralegal from the age of 16 to the completion of my philosophy degree. Apart from this being a great experience and confirming that I wanted to pursue a career in law, it also helped pay for my nights out at Exeter!

As a woman in law, what challenges have you faced as you have progressed in your career?

I think I am fortunate as I cannot think of a specific challenge that I have faced simply because I am a woman. I have been generally conscious that the male counterparts I trained with seemed to take partnership a long time before I did, but this may not be because of gender, it is simply an observation. I wonder whether, naturally, some men put themselves forward more readily than women. When I joined Ashtons, I had not expected to rise towards partnership; through the excellent training programmes and support offered here, I was able to do so.

What advice would you give to any woman striving to progress in their legal career?

I would encourage all women to take ownership of their own careers and not fear putting themselves forward for roles they feel they can fulfil or excel at. I would advise against sitting back for years, quietly working hard, and simply expecting a promotion. Ask questions about career progression and how you can move forward. Sometimes, we stand in our own way by not doing this.

Do you think law firms support women in law better now than when you first began your career?

Yes. There is far more support now for those with families or for those with other commitments outside of work, with these also not being so gender focussed now.

Historically, women may have been asked about their family plans early in their careers, whereas men would not. Thankfully, this doesn’t (or shouldn’t!) happen now! I think there is a difference in the way firms are run now too; for example, as there are so many great women within the partnership, this naturally makes for a more diverse workplace.

Personally, I feel well supported by Ashtons in terms of the external commitments that I am involved with and there are a lot of fantastic female role models for me. I am a qualified international world rowing umpire and deal with organising and attending races and events in this region and across the country. Occasionally, this involves having to travel on relatively short notice, and that is where the support of the firm becomes invaluable, particularly given our flexible working policy. I think there can be a tendency to envisage that it is largely parents who take advantage of flexible working, but it is equally important for personal goals as well, and I am proud to be part of a firm that recognises this.

What are you most proud of?

I am proud that I have progressed to a role where I am leading a team. To be honest, when I first joined the firm, I wasn’t sure whether that would be the route for me or if I would reach this level. I am really proud that I have built a family team in Cambridge that continues to grow and that is respected in the wider Family Law Community.

How do you think women can be better supported at work?

To my mind, I think the best way we can do this is to support each other. I would say to other women – pull the women up after you and support those around you. Using personal times of struggle to help others can be really effective, as can making sure that additional hurdles are not put in front of others just because they came after us. I do think Ashtons is very good at delivering the message about career progression and how this can be achieved. A former client once described me as a “badass one woman army”. I think there are lots of women in this firm who could also be described in that way, and we are way stronger together.

Joanna Cotgrove speaking to Ashtons’ Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging Committee.