Ep.7: Taking silk, taking on the tobacco companies and taking a break

Catherine Callaghan is a talented, high achieving barrister who has become recognised as one of the best in her field – in a very competitive field – by becoming the 424th woman ever to “take silk” as a King’s Counsel in the UK. In doing so, she has also achieved a first (for the UK). But that first is not her only one, and it won’t be her last. 

Podcast introduction:

One of the key reasons that we’re publishing this podcast is to capture and share extraordinary stories – and wherever possible, that these are stories of positivity. There’s plenty of negativity in the world right now, so we want to tip the balance by focussing on the good.

And this is exactly what I admire in our next interviewee. She is a talented, high achieving professional who is obviously very clever and hard working, and has become recognised as one of the best in her field – in a very competitive field. Yet there’s not a whiff of arrogance about her. She is modest, thoughtful, caring and kind and she has a great sense of humour. She is also very positive. Quite simply, she is one of life’s gems.

Catherine Callaghan graduated from Victoria University in Wellington New Zealand with impressive results including being the top law graduate in her year. And then two years later she completed her Master of Laws at Cambridge University – having won an impressive handful of scholarships and prizes, including recognition for being top of her class. Yes, at Cambridge University.

It’s no surprise then that Catherine has worked at leading law firms in New Zealand and the UK and before long, joined Blackstone Chambers in London. She is now a Kings’ Counsel – which is a great achievement – you’ll hear more about this directly from her. Her life has not been without significant challenges – but in the face of these challenges, her positivity has been a driving force.

I have great pleasure in introducing you to the wonderful and most definitely extraordinary Catherine Callaghan.