ADHD & Me – Life as an aspiring solicitor, recently diagnosed with ADHD

"At 26, after obtaining 12 GCSEs, 4 A-Levels, and both an undergraduate and master's degree in law, I was diagnosed with ADHD.

The relief I felt upon receiving this diagnosis was immense; it was as if my entire life suddenly made sense. I was no longer a failure who struggled with basic everyday tasks, like I had told myself for many years.

I just had a brain that worked in a slightly different way and understanding this was the most powerful thing anyone could have given me.

Throughout my education, I always struggled. Despite being intelligent and achieving good grades, I constantly felt like I was falling short of my full potential. Coursework was a challenge for many years, and I thrived under the intense pressure of exams to succeed.

However, it wasn't until I finished university, began my legal career, and moved out of my family home that I truly began to experience the struggles associated with ADHD, which at the time I knew absolutely nothing about.

At the time I was working in a claimant law firm, grappling with an unmanageable caseload, demanding targets and even more demanding clients. All whilst a global pandemic was unravelling.

COVID-19 took away all sources of dopamine – we couldn’t leave the house, see our friends and family or escape to the gym (or anywhere for that matter). For someone with ADHD, it was a nightmare. For someone with undiagnosed ADHD, it was a daily challenge.

As the pandemic passed, my struggles continued not only in the workplace but at home also. I struggled keeping everything organised at home, being on time for appointments and meetings with friends, finding the motivation to stay focused.

I worked at three different law firms before joining Clyde & Co, generally staying for a year or a year and a half before becoming bored or burnt out due to the demands of the role and lack of support.

Seven months before joining Clyde and Co, I stumbled upon a video online about ADHD in women. Suddenly everything clicked. Everything I was experiencing, all in one video:

• Rejection Sensitivity
• Emotional regulation
• Disorganization
• Procrastination
• Impulsivity

The list goes on.

I spoke with my GP who referred me to Psychiatry UK via the Right to Choose. I had an exhausting 10 month wait before I received my diagnosis, which was relatively quick compared to the NHS wait time of up to 7 years in Manchester.

At this point I had been working at Clyde & Co for 3 months.

Getting the job at Clyde & Co felt different. It’s a company I have always wanted to work at and had applied to a few times in the past – this was third time lucky. I wanted this experience to be different from all my previous ones in the legal industry.

Reluctantly, after only three months I disclosed my ADHD diagnosis with a colleague in HR.

Since this day I have received nothing but support, encouragement and understanding from Clyde & Co.

I have received equipment that has helps me stay focused and engaged throughout my working day along with a 1-2-1 workplace coach to help me focus on issues I face in the workplace and how I can work with my ADHD to overcome these issues.

Initially I was extremely reluctant to disclose my ADHD. It was new and unknown to me and I didn’t feel ready to share this with others. To some extent I felt shame. Like having ADHD meant I would never be successful and there would always be something holding me back from becoming a solicitor.

Now, almost a year and a half post-diagnosis, I feel completely different.

Understanding my ADHD and how my brain works has allowed me to understand myself in ways I never could before, and from this, I have thrived.

I no longer feel ashamed to say I have ADHD. It’s no longer a limitation holding me back.

The legal profession immensely benefits from neurodivergent minds. We often possess exceptional problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, analytical minds and greater levels of empathy and understanding – qualities crucial to the legal field.

Clyde & Co has created a safe environment for me to grow and thrive, and I strongly encourage anyone who feels they may be struggling to reach out to HR.

I am also a ‘friendly-face’ of the Enable network and my inbox is always open to anyone who would like to discuss anything in relation to the contents of this blog post.

As my journey as an aspiring solicitor continues, I have no doubts that Clyde & Co is the law firm that will help me achieve my goals. Their unwavering support and commitment to fostering an inclusive environment have made all the difference in my professional and personal growth."

- Melissa Burrows, Litigation Executive