Kain Knight Celebrates Women in Costs Law on International Women’s Day 2025
International Women’s Day has been celebrated for over 100 years, advocating for the progress and empowerment of women. This year, the theme, “Accelerate Action,” emphasises the need for further collective efforts to achieve gender equality in society and in the workplace.
Matthew Kain comments “Kain Knight have always been committed to gender equality and inclusivity within the business, and the fact that our team is now 50% female is testament to that. The legal sector, particularly costs law, is one such field where gender disparities have often been prevalent, so Kain Knight proudly stand as an exception to the stereotype that cost law is a male dominated profession.”
In this article we hear from four of the female costs specialists at Kain Knight who talk about the flexible working ethos of the business and how this has helped them to achieve equality in the workplace.
Introducing Hayley Blackburn, Costs Draftsman and Fixed Recoverable Costs specialist
“I recently read that up to 92% of lawyers have experienced stress or ‘burn out’, with 25% experiencing it daily (survey by Legatics). As someone who is always striving for the next challenge but has suffered from ‘burn out’ in the past, it is important to me to have a healthy work/life balance but also professional growth. At Kain Knight, I am truly able to achieve this thanks to flexible hours, the choice to work from home or in the office and the encouragement and support from the managerial team, who recognise potential and individuality and provide the opportunity to achieve your career goals. This means that I can make it to my favourite gym and yoga classes and spend extra time with family and friends whilst also having that sense of commitment and job satisfaction.”
Introducing Laura Gray, Costs Lawyer and Housing Conditions Claims Team Manager
“The demand for flexible working hours is increasing as professionals strive to balance their work commitments and personal lives. At Kain Knight flexible hours allows employees to adjust their work schedule to fit personal commitments and responsibilities which has led me to have a better balance between my professional and personal life. In turn I believe this increases my productivity. The fact that I can work from home assists me in all sorts of ways. For example, it reduces commuter stresses, I have greater control over my work schedule which in turn empowers me and also fosters a sense of independence and job satisfaction. One aspect which I am very thankful for, more than anything else is that I have been able to reduce childcare and take and collect my son, George, to and from School, which means the world to me. I also have my little dog, Rosie at home working alongside me during the day (well sleeping) which is great comfort that she is not on her own. My boss and manager are super supportive and completely understand that you can’t do a good job, if your job is all you do. Time with family is as important as time at work and if someone is steady and well-ordered in life, they can be fierce in work.”
Introducing Qareena Khan – Trainee Costs Consultant – Kain Knight City, London
“I joined Kain Knight City in June 2024 after a brief break from employment, during which I focused on my new role as a mother. Naturally, it was very important for me to work for a company that offered flexible working and was supportive to employees with families. Kain Knight City not only supports my work-life balance but also encourages my professional development. It has been refreshing to work for a company that understands the importance of balancing both career progression and family life, especially for women.”
Introducing Gemma Bolitho, Costs Lawyer specialising in Court of Protection and Actions Against Public Authorities
“I have been with Kain Knight full time now since October 2022, having previously been a sole practitioner and worked as a contractor for Kain Knight. The full time move to Kain Knight has impacted extremely positively on both my career progression and personal life. I am now able to fully focus on being a Cost Lawyer with the full support of the head office team. In addition, I also now have much more flexibility to dictate my hours and work from home. This has enabled me to significantly improve the balance between my professional and personal life, which is something that I have really struggled with in the past. I have two teenage daughters and the ability to be flexible with my working hours is especially important at the moment while they are taking their GCSE’s and A Levels. Kain Knight not only fully support this flexibility but they are also supportive and encouraging with professional development, which is invaluable for a working parent.”
