Hasina Choudhury – International Women’s Day Interview

Some of the content below appears in a feature for Absolutely Essex.

Why did you originally want to work in law?

Having grown up in Bangladesh, I was familiar with a society where there was considerable injustice. I frequently saw people being treated unfairly and inhumanely. Wealthy people were able to “buy” justice and medical treatment, whereas poor people were denied basic human rights. I was around 10 years of age, when I developed a burning desire to enter a profession where I would have an opportunity to help people and ensure that they were treated fairly and equally.

Why did you decide to specialise in Clinical Negligence?

Being from an Asian background, my parents instilled in me from an early age that medicine and law were the most important knowledge to possess.  I enjoyed science but was always a bit squeamish when dissecting for biology class. I therefore knew early on that I was not destined to be a surgeon.

I read Law and Psychology at University. I found Psychology a fascinating area of study and felt it helped me gain insight into people’s behaviour. Whilst balancing the two subjects enabled me to continue my interest in science, in the final year of my studies, I chose to major in Law as I felt this would enable me to embark on a career where my contribution could make the greatest difference to people’s lives.

At the time of reading Law, I had not decided which area of law I wanted to specialise in. However, the firm that I trained with was a specialist Clinical Negligence Legal 500 firm and I had the opportunity to learn and develop my specialism in this field.

Given my childhood interest (albeit instilled by my parents) in science, learning about basic medicine and working alongside clinicians was something that appealed to me greatly. I therefore grasped the opportunity the firm had given me. Whilst there was no specific case that cemented my decision, I was able to work on many different cases which convinced me that I had found my calling.

Having obtained a vast amount of knowledge in clinical negligence law, I successfully applied to be a member of AvMA Specialist Clinical Negligence Panel and the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel. I firmly believe that accreditation schemes, such as these provide my clients with reassurance they need at a time of highest vulnerability.

What attracted you to joining TSP back in 2021?

I trained in a multi-branch firm in London. I qualified as a Solicitor in the firm’s Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Department in 2006.

By 2011, I had taken on a number of management responsibilities, whilst conducting a full caseload representing my clients. I shared responsibilities for training of junior solicitors, trainees and paralegals. I was promoted to a Partner in my previous firm in 2014. Shortly after, I was also made a Deputy Head of the Clinical Negligence for the Adult Claims team.

In 2019, I became a member of AvMA’s Specialist Clinical Negligence Panel and of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel. Life in London was busy and hectic.

I relocated to Suffolk with my young family in 2020 (amidst the COVID crisis) and felt on that occasion that the world was changing. I did not want to get to retirement and not explore other options. Whilst I thought that I should focus on my young family, at the same time I realised that I needed to also continue to utilise the knowledge I had acquired over the years and see if I could continue my growth more regionally rather than just in the city.

I started researching local and regional firms that would enable me to balance the welfare of my young family and at the same time enable me to continue my professional growth. During that research, I came across Thompson Smith And Puxon Solicitors. My research led me to understand that this law firm had a lot to offer and if I could join them, that perhaps they would accept and allow me to get involved in setting their vision for the future. Thompson Smith and Puxon is a LEXCEL accredited, Legal 500 recommended practice with 17 Legal 500 recommended lawyers. The firm has a long history in North Essex and has ambitious plans to grow further over the next few years.

After several interviews and meeting many of the firm’s Directors, we all decided that I would be a good fit for the firm. I joined Thompson Smith and Puxon Solicitors in September 2021 and started my new venture of working in the firm’s Clinical Negligence department representing Claimants who have suffered injuries through medical negligence.  The firm soon realised what I had to offer and I was promoted to a Director in January 2023. I now support our head of department with managing the team with a view to succession in the near future. I also closely work with the firm’s management in recruiting future talents for the firm.

One aspect to highlight is my firm’s capability, technical skill and expertise which sees many of our competitors in other fields, recommend our PICN department as they are not equipped to do that work.

Further, we pride ourselves on our strategic recruitment strategy which has shown several of our departments grow significantly in recent years.  I believe that a significant part of the reason for the success of our growth, and the reason it is highly regarded amongst our piers, is due to being well resourced, with a good balance between fee earning members and administrative support, and knowledge, to the undoubted benefit of our clients.

Our holistic capability is also key to our ability to offer outstanding client service, and most importantly, setting us apart from others. We provide a full service, clinical negligence expertise, personal injury expertise, and a similar expertise in Court of Protection and Deputyship matters.  We are therefore able to offer a complete service, which is not the case with many other local law firms.  We are able to refer clients seamlessly to the different departments so that their journey is managed under one roof, completely and professionally.

What have been some of your highlights in your time at TSP?

Since joining the firm, I have mentored and continue to mentor many junior fee earners, which I thoroughly enjoy.

Being asked to be a Deputy Head of the PICN team and being promoted to a Director within 15 months of being at the firm was one of the best highlights of being at TSP.

Having said that in 2024, I was selected to be one of the facilitators for our Collaboration Day when all the staff members gathered to discuss the firm’s future. It was such an important role as I was responsible for keeping the meeting on track and ensured that everyone in my group had a chance to contribute. During our Collaboration Day, the entire firm worked towards our 2030 goals. We used the Collaboration Day to reflect on where we can make improvements and how we can each contribute to the long term success of TSP. We all agreed that after all, to transform, to succeed and to prosper was not just a mission – it was a roadmap for our future.

What does 2025 hold in store for you?

As can be seen from the size, and depth, of the offering at TSP, all staff members have significant thought to the best way to grow the firm and cement the quality of the service and offering provided to our clients.  Since my joining the firm in 2021, I have seen a considerable growth in the firm’s talents (both grown in-house and externally).

I am very excited about what TSP has to offer in the future. Not only are we servicing the people of the region, we are also helping to shape the future of our younger generation through training, collaboration and interaction. I cannot wait to see what the future holds.