Personal Profiles, Professional Insights: Amy Maher, senior associate – family

Finding her way into law

Amy’s route into the legal profession was not a conventional one. At university, she studied drama and theatre – a subject she loved – while already sensing that law would eventually be her destination. “I’ve always loved learning,” she explains, “and what really attracted me to law was that it’s constantly evolving. You’re always learning, always having to keep on top of what’s going on. It’s intellectually challenging, and I really enjoy that.”

That intellectual challenge, combined with a desire to work in a people-focused area, ultimately drew Amy to family law. From the outset, she knew she wanted a specialism that centred on human relationships rather than purely technical issues. Family law, she says, stood out because it offered the opportunity to help and support people at times when they are most vulnerable. “I really like the human relationship side of it,” she says.

The importance of being supported

Amy is clear that her career has been shaped by the support she received early on. During her training, she was encouraged by senior colleagues who recognised her determination to pursue family law and gave her opportunities to gain hands-on experience. She speaks warmly about a supportive head of team and a training partner who enabled her to attend court hearings, sit in on meetings and push herself professionally. That encouragement, she says, made a lasting impression.

“That support really mattered,” she reflects. “I knew what I wanted to do, and having people who were prepared to back that ambition and help me develop made a huge difference.”

Those early experiences helped shape Amy’s own approach to working with others. Today, she is acutely aware that no one succeeds alone, and that strong outcomes for clients depend on effective teamwork behind the scenes.

Supporting clients through difficult times

What Amy enjoys most about her work is the opportunity to build relationships with clients at times of profound personal upheaval. Family law often requires asking difficult, deeply personal questions of people you have only just met. Amy never takes that responsibility lightly. “It’s a real privilege,” she says.

Listening, she believes, is central to that trust. Rather than rushing to solutions, Amy prioritises giving clients the space to talk and to be heard. “It’s about listening first,” she explains. “My job is to identify what’s legally relevant, but that doesn’t mean cutting people off. That wouldn’t be conducive to a positive relationship.”

She also recognises the limits of what a lawyer can and should provide. Part of supporting clients effectively involves signposting them to other professionals – from financial advisers to family consultants – who can help address the wider challenges they may be facing. Managing expectations, providing realistic advice and approaching matters in a fair and reasonable way are all part of that holistic support.

Career highlights and professional pride

Asked about career highlights, Amy points to cases that were particularly complex and emotionally demanding. While family law is rarely about “winning”, she describes the pride she felt when, after lengthy and challenging proceedings, outcomes were reached that she believed were fair and right for her clients. Final hearings are unusual in family law, and the stress involved can be immense for everyone concerned. “It’s nerve‑wracking for clients and for us as their advisers,” she says. “So, when the outcome feels just and properly reflects the way the case was conducted, that’s incredibly rewarding.”

Beyond individual cases, Amy also takes pride in developing alternative ways of resolving disputes. After training in collaborative practice, she identified a gap in provision locally and went on to establish the Oxfordshire collaborative pod. What began as an idea has grown into a thriving network of around 15 to 16 collaboratively trained lawyers, offering families a non‑court‑based route to resolution. “I’m really proud of setting that up,” she says.

Supporting colleagues and the wider community

Support, for Amy, extends well beyond client work. She plays an active role in initiatives that benefit colleagues and the wider community alike. She has long been involved with the charity Children Heard and Seen, coordinating Blake Morgan’s contribution to its Christmas and Easter schemes. Each year, hundreds of children with a parent in prison receive gifts that they might not otherwise have had. “It’s incredibly rewarding,” Amy says. “And it’s something Blake Morgan really encourages – getting involved in things beyond day‑to‑day legal work.”

Within the firm, Amy has also helped to establish Oxford Next Gen, a group aimed at associates and senior associates. The initiative is designed to support colleagues as they build their careers, develop networks and share experiences. “We identified a bit of a gap at that mid‑career level,” she explains. “It’s about supporting each other and creating a strong, supportive network.”

The support she relies on

While Amy is passionate about supporting others, she is equally open about the importance of the support she receives herself. At work, she describes the Oxford family team – and the wider family practice at Blake Morgan – as the most supportive she has worked with. “I couldn’t do what I do without my team around me,” she says. “Every single person is key to the service we offer our clients.”

Outside the office, her family provides a vital counterbalance to the demands of practice. With two young sons, weekends are often spent on the sidelines of football pitches, rain or shine. “I never thought I’d be that football mum,” she laughs, “but I absolutely love it.” Running has also become an important outlet, culminating in completing the Oxford Half Marathon – a personal achievement she is rightly proud of.

Why Blake Morgan?

Amy joined Blake Morgan after returning from maternity leave, initially unsure whether she would even be offered an interview. The firm’s reputation had placed it, in her mind, “on a pedestal”. Since joining, she says, that reputation has been more than justified. “It’s the most supportive firm I’ve worked at,” she says.

Looking ahead, Amy is excited about continuing to grow her career at the firm, supported by colleagues and in turn supporting the next generation. That mutual exchange of support – professional and personal – is what continues to motivate her.

Advice for aspiring lawyers

For those considering a career in law, Amy’s advice is grounded in persistence and courage. “Don’t give up,” she says simply. “It can take a long time to get where you want to be, but if it’s what you want, you have to stick with it.” Gaining experience, being proactive and being prepared to ask for opportunities are all part of that journey. “Nothing falls into your lap,” she reflects. “You have to put the time and effort in.”

In Amy Maher’s story, support is never a one‑way street. It is something she gives generously – to clients, colleagues and communities – and something she actively values and draws upon in return. That balance lies at the core of her professional insight, and at the heart of the work she does every day.