Meet the Team: Ravinder Kaur and Paula Hamer

25th Jun 2026

Author: Butcher & Barlow

At Butcher & Barlow, we know choosing a Firm to work with, or a Firm to build your career with, is about people. With that in mind, Amy Norman sat down with Ravinder Kaur, a residential property Lawyer based at our Bramhall office, and Paula Hamer, a commercial property Lawyer based at our Gadbrook Park office, to chat about what drew them into Law, what their working days look like and the details that make them who they are.

First of all, I hope your first few months at Butcher & Barlow have been what you hoped they would be! You are both experienced Lawyers, but what made you want to be a Lawyer originally?

Paula: I knew I wanted to be a Lawyer from around the age of 14. I initially considered becoming a Barrister, but during work experience at a firm of Solicitors I was persuaded otherwise. Around the same time, I was reading To Kill a Mockingbird and was inspired by Atticus Finch’s integrity and sense of justice. I saw Law as a career that would challenge me intellectually, allow me to help people solve problems and offer a clear and rewarding professional path.

Ravinder: It was not the original plan for me. I first wanted to become a teacher, but I thought entering the legal profession would be more challenging. I originally wanted to specialise in family law, but that too changed!

What does a typical working day look like?

Ravinder: First, I make a coffee, as this is always much needed. I make a to-do list for the day and then tackle my emails, trying to deal with the urgent work first before moving on to the non-urgent tasks.

Paula: If you were a fly on the wall, you would probably think I spend the whole day sitting behind a computer. In reality, no two days are ever quite the same. My day usually starts with a cuppa while I check overnight emails, review my diary and prioritise my to-do list.

The profession has changed significantly since I was a Trainee, but the variety has stayed the same. Some days are packed with meetings, others are spent drafting documents, reviewing titles or progressing transactions, and then there are the days when unexpected issues need quick attention.

Ravinder: Definitely, and particularly in property. Transactional work is fast paced and forever throwing curveballs at you.

Have you been involved in any interesting, unusual or quirky matters?

Paula: When I worked alongside an intellectual property team, we occasionally met people who were convinced they had created a famous work before it became a hit. One gentleman arrived with a tape recording and insisted he had written Mambo No. 5 long before it was released. After listening to it, we had the difficult task of explaining that a successful claim was unlikely. On another occasion, a lady was convinced she had written Fifty Shades of Grey on her mobile phone and wanted to sue E. L. James.

I have also seen plenty of amusing typos over the years. One client told me her husband had been charged with “erotic driving”, while another said she was “going habiting” with her partner. Both gave the office a good laugh.

Ravinder: Mine was dealing with a Sharia mortgage while I was training, which the Firm had never dealt with before. It was an experience I would not want to repeat, with the numerous requirements in place and then funds not being released when requested. I was so glad when it finally completed.

Looking back, is there a matter or career moment that stands out as especially memorable?

Paula: One of my career highlights was being seconded to a London borough council to assist with a project focused on housing homeless individuals. The borough had the highest level of homelessness in the country at the time, so the work was particularly significant and fast paced.

I was involved in a project that successfully acquired around 1,000 homes to help address the housing need. It was incredibly rewarding to see the tangible impact of the work and to receive thank-you letters from individuals who had been directly affected. That recognition was genuinely humbling and is something that has stayed with me throughout my career.

Being promoted to Partner at my previous firm at the age of 31 also stands out. It was a significant milestone that reflected a great deal of hard work, as well as the support and encouragement of colleagues and mentors along the way.

Ravinder: For me, one of the stand-out moments has been dealing with a complex property matter involving multiple parties. It was good to see everything come together and then receive positive feedback from the Client at the end.

I’ve also really enjoyed mentoring junior colleagues who had little experience in this area of Law. It was rewarding to see them grow their knowledge and skills while working alongside me.

Amy: Those are lovely examples, because they show two sides of a legal career: the difference you can make for clients and communities and the satisfaction that comes from helping others develop too.

You are both now very settled with property law, but what are your aspirations for the future?

Ravinder: To do the best I can for clients at work and to progress in any way I can by gaining more experience and knowledge. Outside work, I want to enjoy life, try new things and spend time with the people who matter to me.

Paula: Professionally, I want to continue building long-term client relationships and mentoring the next generation of Lawyers. Personally, I still harbour an ambition to be in musical theatre. Some dreams never die!

So you obviously enjoy music, Paula, but what else do you enjoy outside work?

Paula: Outside work, I sing with a Rock Choir, which is a great way to unwind and completely switch off from the day job. It has also given me some fantastic opportunities over the years. Highlights have included performing at the Edinburgh Festival and CarFest, appearing live on television for Comic Relief and later this year we will be performing at the Natural History Museum. Next year, we are recording songs at Abbey Road, which is something I am really looking forward to.

I also love travelling and discovering new places. I have been fortunate enough to visit Australia, the USA, Canada, Mauritius, the Caribbean and many parts of Europe. My travel wish list is still growing, and I have recently developed a taste for cruising.

Ravinder: I try to keep active by going to the gym, running, hiking and doing yoga when I can. I also love to travel and would like to do more of it. You can recommend some places to visit, Paula! There are lots of places on my list already, including Japan and Australia.

Paula: Japan for me too. The combination of modern cities, incredible food, history, culture and beautiful landscapes has always appealed to me. And once I have immersed myself in all the cultural highlights, I would definitely be making time for DisneySea.

It is quick-fire question time now!

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

Paula: My male equivalent, purely to see whether the world really does treat us differently. I suspect it would be a fascinating social experiment.

Ravinder: David Attenborough, to experience the adventures he goes on around the world, learning about wildlife and other species.

Who do you admire in the business world?

Ravinder: Oprah Winfrey, for building a media empire while inspiring others. I used to watch her talk shows growing up and they were very enlightening.

Paula: I admire Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, for the way he has transformed both culture and performance within a global organisation. He is known for encouraging a more collaborative, inclusive and learning-focused culture, and for placing empathy at the heart of leadership. I find that approach really compelling.

How would your friends describe you?

Paula: Sociable, good fun and someone who enjoys bringing people together.

Ravinder: Loyal, a good listener and someone who likes to have a laugh and joke.

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

Ravinder: Believe in yourself and do not worry too much, as things tend to fall into place.

Paula: I would tell my younger self not to worry so much and to trust my instincts. I would also emphasise resilience, the importance of setting boundaries and not allowing setbacks to define you. Finally, I would add some practical advice: start paying into a pension as early as possible.

Amy: That last point is possibly the most grown-up answer we have had.

Paula: Practical, but true.

Finally, what key life skills would you pass on to a graduate just starting out?

Ravinder: Be as organised as possible and pay attention to detail by checking work over before releasing it. Always seek clarification if in doubt and try to stay calm.

Paula: Communication is every bit as important as technical knowledge. Listen carefully, ask questions and never be afraid to admit that you do not know something. Stay organised, build relationships and remember that every experienced Lawyer once asked the same basic questions.

And one final observation: almost every Lawyer will tell you not to become a Lawyer. If that advice puts you off, it probably is not the right career for you. If it makes you even more determined, you will fit right in.

Amy: Organisation, communication, calmness and the confidence to ask questions. That is advice worth remembering at any stage of a legal career.

Thank you both for taking the time to speak to me.

If you speak to Ravinder or Paula, you will find two approachable property Lawyers who bring experience, perspective and a clear focus on helping Clients move forward, with a good chance of a travel recommendation!