Personal Profiles, Professional Insights: Louise Howells, Commercial Property Partner

She chose A-levels in English, History and Economics—subjects she felt would equip her with the tools to thrive in the legal world —and never looked back. After studying Business Law, a role in a property team changed everything.

“I didn’t think I’d enjoy property as it sounded so dry at university, but I loved the pace and the sense of moving things forward.” Over 20 years later, Louise is a Partner at Blake Morgan and a respected expert in the social housing sector. She’s as committed to people as she is to property; mentoring young talent, championing inclusion, and helping to break down barriers to the profession.

“I want young people all backgrounds to know that law can be for them, too,” she says.

Outside work, Louise is a theatre lover, a live music fan, and enjoys a good whodunit. Most weekends, though, you’ll find her cheering on her two sons from the sidelines of a rugby or football pitch.

We caught up with Louise to talk about her career, the values that drive her, and why Bruce Springsteen might be the world’s greatest live act.

Can you tell us about your early career path?

I studied for my undergraduate law degree with a “sandwich year” at Bournemouth University (I wanted to be near the sea, having grown up a few doors away from the beach!). During my placement year, I worked at a high-street firm, handling a range of tasks that included court appearances, meeting clients in a mental health institution, and visiting clients in prison. Whilst it was fascinating and helped hone my communication skills, it made me realise I didn’t want to pursue a career in criminal law. After completing my university studies and the LPC, I became a paralegal in a property team, where I thoroughly enjoyed the work. That led me to my training contract, where I mainly worked with the property team. I joined what was then Morgan Cole on qualification, where I have been ever since!

What has kept you with Blake Morgan for over 20 years?

When I joined, the firm had a reputation as a solid, commercial firm – big enough to offer quality work but not too big to lose its personal feel. That still holds true. There’s such a strong sense of community and support here. I’ve built long-standing relationships, and the firm has always supported the sectors and causes I care about, especially social housing.

What do you enjoy most about working with housing associations?

The social housing sector is about so much more than delivering homes; it’s about building communities and supporting people who’ve experienced a whole range of difficulties, including homelessness or domestic violence.

I love being part of that, whether through undertaking development and finance work, without which affordable homes wouldn’t get built, or running events with a social value focus. That gives me a real sense of purpose.

You’ve done a lot of work on social mobility. Tell us about why that matters to you.

I didn’t come from a family of lawyers, and my parents worked incredibly hard, each often juggling two jobs to give us opportunities.

It began with our Growing Ambitions scheme, which we launched 13 years ago. The idea was to give young people from underrepresented backgrounds (who are tenants of our housing association clients) exposure to the legal profession through tailored work experience and follow-up mentoring. We also ran a scheme called Wear to Work, which helped remove barriers to work by providing suitable interview and workwear.

You’ve recently joined the board of Working Wardrobe. Tell us about that.

Working Wardrobe helps people into employment by providing free, appropriate clothing and confidence-boosting support to those facing financial barriers. I’ve always admired and supported what they do, so when I was invited to join the board, I didn’t hesitate. It’s a brilliant, values-led organisation doing so much good and founded by an energetic and kind team determined to make a difference.

What does a typical weekend look like for you?

I’m usually driving my sons, Joshua and Jacob, to football or rugby matches. They’re 16 and 12, both sporty and full of energy. Beyond that, I love theatre, live music, and spending time with my friends and family. We recently saw Gregory Porter at the Royal Albert Hall, which was overwhelming – an amazing voice filling a beautiful venue. I’ve also been fortunate enough to see Bruce Springsteen four times. He is incredible live and only finishes his set when the plug is pulled.

How do you balance work and home life?

I’m an early bird to ensure that I get to spend time with the boys in the evenings. My husband, Jamie, is fantastic, and we work well as a team. He does most of the cooking and helps keep everything running. The firm is supportive too. There’s no culture of presenteeism, and we have ‘My Time’, which provides us with five paid days a year for wellbeing or volunteering. Work-life balance is a significant part of our culture.

What does success mean to you?

That trust is what matters most. Awards are lovely, but it’s the long-standing client relationships that I’m most proud of.

What advice would you give someone starting in law?

Try to get experience in a range of legal areas and firms before choosing your specialism. I never thought I’d end up in property, but here I am! Be open-minded, work hard, and don’t be afraid to explore different routes. Whether you come through university or an apprenticeship, there’s a place for you if you’re passionate and committed.