After working for 10 years as a Senior Associate at two major law firms, I sought to pursue my love of art and design by completing a Diploma in Interior Design with a principal focus on office workplace design. My subsequent employment at Bates Smart has seen me combine the two fields, finding my niche in the area of briefing, with a particular focus on the legal workplace.I developed many skills in the law that I have transferred to my design practice:/ Business development and client relations, including drafting submissions and competition proposals, undertaking workshops and focus groups and change management;/ Excellent time management skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment; and/ An ability to collate, analyse and communicate large volumes of information in a clear and succinct manner.My years working in the legal profession, managing files and supervising teams, together with my human resources and interior design training and natural eye for detail in design, offers a unique combination of skills.