Meet Kelly Myatt, Kate Wilson & Tom Jones

11th Feb 2026

Author: Butcher & Barlow

At Butcher & Barlow, we know that choosing a Firm to work with, or a Firm to build your career with, is about people as much as it is about process. So, we pulled three of our newest Team Members into the same room for a chat with Marketing Partner Amy Norman, to hear how they found their way into Law, what a normal day actually looks like and the fun facts that make them instantly memorable.

Let’s begin at the beginning. What made you want to become a Solicitor?

Kelly: I didn’t! I wanted to be a police officer. Part of the college course I undertook contained a Law module, I got a good result and enjoyed it. The rest, as they say, is history…

Tom: I have always enjoyed problem solving, and that is certainly a big part of the work we do. However, if you ask my mum she will tell you it was because I love a good argument!

Kate: I had originally planned to be a primary school teacher! However, I did some work experience at a law firm and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the complexity and problem solving. I think I made the right career choice in the end!

What does a typical working day look like for you?

Tom: First thing on the to do list is to check and clear my emails prioritising any key tasks for the day. The rest of my day can be quite varied and could include meeting with clients to discuss ongoing transactions, reviewing and amending draft documents, reporting on title or searches.

Kate: Up early to walk the dog, feed the horses, and get my little girl ready for school. Head up the M6 (usually performing my own music concert all the way!) to arrive at the office for 8:30. I then spend the first hour or so dealing with admin and catching up on emails. I like to plan my day out and have a to-do list of exactly what I need to get done that day. Of course something will usually land in my inbox to derail that plan somewhat, but I do try and stick to it. Then I head back down the M6, usually take my daughter to either her riding lesson or dance, then dinner and settle down with a good book.

Kelly: Up at 5.30am for a workout, showered and out of the house by 6.45am. Drive in listening to a podcast. Arrive by 7.45–8am, traffic depending. My first task is usually catching up on emails that landed overnight then tackling my varied caseload. Having a mixed caseload means I have to prioritise tasks each day and quickly work out the demands of the day. After work is done, I am home and usually taking one of my children to football training. Following that I eat, sleep, and repeat!

So, we have emails, horses, and a 5.30am workout… which feels like the full spectrum of productivity.

Kate: The key detail is that the to-do list always exists, even if the day disagrees with it.

Kelly: The day always disagrees with it.

How do wind down after these busy days?

Tom: I enjoy fitness,  going to the gym and playing basketball several times a week. I also have a lively border collie (Floss) who is more than enough to keep me on my toes!

Kate: Reading romantasy books, horses, dogs – actually any animals! – netball both playing and supporting Manchester Thunder with my daughter.

Kelly: Most of the time you can find me stood at the side of a football pitch watching both my son and daughter play. Otherwise, I like to spend time with family and friends and attending music concerts and festivals.

So, between you, we have the gym, netball, football, books, animals and a very busy dog.

Tom: The dog is the one truly running the schedule.

Do you have any quirky matters you have been involved in or light hearted anecdotes you can share? Something that still makes you smile or something that taught you a lot?

Tom: One of the first files I handled as a newly qualified Solicitor was the incorporation of a multi-million pound property portfolio into a limited company. 32 properties with individual mortgage offers, reports on title and searches. It was a baptism of fire and certainly tested my aforementioned organisational skills!

Kelly: As a Trainee Solicitor I asked my Training Principal to attend a site inspection with me. I had a query over the boundaries to the property which appeared unusual on paper.  On arrival the gate to the rear of the empty property was locked. Without thinking I quickly launched myself over the gate (wearing heels and a pencil skirt). He joined me a few minutes later… when he had realised we had been turning the gate lock the wrong way!

Tom: That is determination.

Kate: That is also bravery in a pencil skirt.

Kelly: Thank you. I would call it not thinking, but I will take determination.

Kate: I was on a farm visit once and got my poor car stuck in a big muddy pothole, the farmer had to pull me out with his tractor!

And the matters that always feel the best are those where there has been significant time pressure and I have worked hard to ensure a quick turnaround to help a client during a really stressful time

Kelly, you have also had one of those “no time to spare” moments Kate mentioned.

Kelly: A client came to me having purchased a property at auction. I had 48 hours to turn it around… and I managed it with a few hours to spare!

Kate: That is exactly the feeling I’m talking about. You know you have really helped.

Do you have a stand out positive memory from your career so far?

Kate: I cannot remember the exact file, but I think it was the first time I smashed a really complex matter, coming up against a Partner at a huge international Firm, and really held my own.

Kelly: When my fellow Partner won a Conveyancer of the Year award at the LEAP Modern Law Awards. I was Department Head at the time and had put him forward to recognise his many years of experience and his excellence in the field of Conveyancing. We also won a highly commended award for Conveyancing Firm of the Year Midlands. A great night was had by all.

Tom: For me, that portfolio incorporation still stands out. It taught me a lot, quickly!

That’s a varied mix: personal achievement, team pride and a baptism of fire.

We’ve looked at the past but what are your aspirations for the future?

Tom: I want to continue to develop as a Solicitor and gain as much experience and expertise in my field as possible to be best placed to assist my clients.

Kate: To be the best I can be both at home and at work. I want to be a role-model to my daughter. Working for a company like Butcher & Barlow, with the culture it has, means that I do not have to sacrifice being a mum to have a successful career, or vice versa.

Kelly: I am totally with you there Kate. I want to show my young daughter that she does not need to choose between being a good mum and having a successful career. She can do both. It will be hard work but so rewarding.”

Kate and Kelly, you have both landed in the same place there.

Kelly: It matters. You want your children to see what is possible.

Kate: And you want them to see that hard work does not mean losing what matters at home.

Now for a little fun with some quick fire questions…

If you could tell your 15-year-old self one thing, what would it be?

Kate: I have always been a terrible people pleaser so I would tell myself to be more confident in myself and that there is nothing wrong in protecting your peace.

Tom: Listen to the people who tell you ‘make the most of being young, it goes in a flash’. You will be one of them sooner than you think!

Kelly: Go easy on the eyebrows…! On a more serious note, know your worth and do not settle for anything less.”

That is a strong trio of advice: enjoy it, protect your peace, and know your worth. Also don’t over pluck your eyebrows!

If you could be someone else for the day, who would it be?

Kelly: My husband, to see what I am really like to live with!

Tom: I would love to spend a day in the life of my dog. Realistically I imagine it is just a whole lot of napping.”

Kate: Oh yes, me too! My dog just sleeps all day, gets cuddles all evening and doesn’t have to make her own meals.”

Tom: Two votes for dog life.

Kelly: I stand by my answer. This is important research… but of course I know the answer already!

Moving onto inspiration, who do you admire in the business world?

Tom: LeBron James, for building a business empire beyond sport, including an educational foundation designed to help at-risk children. He’s not just a basketball player.

Kate: Taylor Swift, for work ethic, advocacy, resilience and championing female empowerment and knowing your worth. Left field, I know!

Kelly: Karen Brady. She was recently in the news about the comments she has received on her weight loss. She commented about how wrong it felt to be getting attention for that over and above her business acumen and achievements. She also owns a football club! We need more women in the world like her!

You are a new addition to the crayon box. What colour would you be?

Tom: A crayon that marked things ‘crosshatched’ would be quite handy for plans!

Kate: A glittery one!

Kelly: That checks out. Practical and sparkly.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Kate: We are obsessed with Deadly 60 and are currently planning a trip to the far reaches of Norway to hunt down humpback whales and orca. I would also like to do a road trip up western Canada.

Tom: I have always wanted to do a European road trip through the Alps!

Kelly: Back in time… to work in a Law Firm without stringent regulation; to a time when wax seals were used, exchange of contracts took place in person and deposit banker’s drafts were walked down the high street and hand delivered to the other side’s Solicitor.

I perhaps shouldn’t admit I remember those times!

How would your friends describe you?

Tom: I think most people’s first word would be loud!

Kate: Also loud, funny and resilient.

Kelly: Loyal, driven and determined. Loves a dance after a few drinks!

Two loud votes and one dance vote. This is a very strong social group!

Finally, tell us something people might not know about you.

Tom: I am a talented sleepwalker and my family and friends have a lot of tales of my nighttime antics!

Kate: I absolutely love building Lego. I built the Disney Castle with over 4,000 pieces. It took me a week to build.

Kelly: I like to drive barefoot… Don’t knock it until you have tried it!

Kate: I feel like barefoot driving divides people.

Kelly: It does. But I stand by it.

To wrap things up, what key life skill would you pass on to someone just starting out?

Kelly: Control the controllables, do not waste time worrying about the rest. Work hard, play hard.

Tom: Stay calm. There is a solution to every problem somewhere and stressing will not help you to reach it.

Kate: Organisation is key to reducing stress both at work and at home. Learn to prioritise. Lists are life-savers!

Stay calm, make lists and control the controllables. If you ever wondered what keeps things moving when it matters, that’s probably it.

Thank you to all of you for taking the time to chat.

If you speak to Tom, Kate or Kelly you will get someone approachable, organised and ready to help you feel clear about what happens next, with a good chance of a laugh along the way.