Alison Gowman CBE: From Van Mildert to the Square Mile

By DLSAA Student Reporter, 2nd year UG and 2023/24 Employability Course Finisher, Jack Ashurst.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Alison Gowman CBE. The wide-ranging interview focused on her time in Durham, extensive career at DLA Piper, and her concurrent career in City politics. This structure is mirrored in the article.

Initial Experiences and Durham

Gowman was initially motivated to pursue a career in law as it was able to provide her with a stable and secure job. She initially placed Durham as her fifth, and final, choice; however, like many, she was captured by the beauty and grandeur when she visited the city for an interview in the middle of winter.

The Law School, which was then situated at 50 Old Bailey, was much smaller when Gowman began reading there in 1974, with around 45 people in each year. Teaching, much like today, took the form of a mixture of lectures and tutorials in smaller groups. Gowman recalls her particular interest in public international law, which formed the basis of her dissertation. This passion for current events would carry Gowman to the highest levels of English commercial law.

Gowman warmly recounts her favourite memory of Durham as being the collegiate camaraderie, which involved “learning and talking about wider topics . . . you could broaden your mind. Guest lectures with people visiting and dining with students gave a true  opportunity to really extend your knowledge and understanding.”

Career at DLA Piper

Initially, Gowman explored a career at the Bar and completed a mini-pupillage. However, the appeal of a financially stable career as a solicitor prevailed and she undertook a vacation scheme with some local firms during one summer.

It was never a question that Gowman would practice anywhere but in the City; the prestige and opportunity to be at the heart of global commerce was appealing.

DLA Piper, where Gowman trained, appealed at the time due to its personal approach to training. At the time, Gowman was one of three articled clerks, compared to the then larger firms which had up to thirty articled clerks.

Gowman made history by becoming the first woman partner at DLA Piper. She became a partner in real estate law. For those currently in a firm looking to take the step up to partner, Gowman gives the following advice- “Well, first of all, I have got to say that it is really important that everybody applies, that they do not write themselves off saying, oh, I am not right, or I am, you know, not very good. You have to ignore the person on our shoulder that is telling us we are not good enough.” Indeed, Gowman is heavily involved in regular events to encourage women to apply for partnership, including running a course with the Solicitors’ Livery Company.

Gowman became a consultant for DLA Piper in 2014, and has continued to serve this role until the present day.

Serving as an Alderman

Gowman has been an elected official in the City of London Corporation since 1991. This is a local authority which has a number of additional roles including:

• The running of three wholesale markets
• The running of 13 academy schools around London
• Maintaining 11,000 acres of open spaces and commercial investments worth several  billion pounds.

The Corporation is non-party political, and this focus on productive co-operation appealed to Gowman, who notes that she was interested in becoming an Alderman due to “a feeling of wanting to be involved in my local area because I worked in the City and thought that I could get things done.” Gowman plays a leading role in the City Corporation on climate action strategy, which has “pledged to be net zero by 2027. . . [Gowman is] leading a programme of works to be able to achieve that, which accords with all my environmental interests that I've had for a very long time. I am also the biodiversity lead member, so I am very keen that the City remains green.”

Gowman has also served as Sheriff of London. This ancient role includes working with judges in the Old Bailey, and working alongside the Lord Mayor, the head of the City Corporation, to promote business and commerce in the City. Gowman served in the role for the customary  period of one year.

When asked how she balanced years as an elected official with her role as a partner at a world- leading firm, Gowman emphasises her organisational skills and hard work. She also credits DLA Piper for allowing her to take a step back from her role and focus on her role as an Alderman.

For those interested in pursuing a career in politics, Gowman urges Durham Law graduates to have a “thick skin and be true to your beliefs and your purposes.” Despite all the challenges, Gowman implores those who are interested to pursue this as a career. Gowman notes, “really good luck, because, you know, we rely on good people to take those steps, to stay true to their principles, and to be running the country or ruling the local town or whatever it is they are elected to do.”

Acknowledgements

I would like to conclude by extending my thanks to Alison Gowman CBE for an engaging and insightful interview.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to Professor Phillip Bennett, the Law School’s first Professor in Practice, and David Patient, Chair of the DLSAA Executive Committee, for giving  me this opportunity.