Spotlight on our people – meet Julia Ellis 

Our Spotlight on our people interview series allows us to shine a light on the people behind the expert advice. In this feature, our spotlight is on Senior Commercial Solicitor, Julia Ellis. Julia joined the Harper James team in September 2023, following her time as Partner and Head of Commercial Law at Ignition Law. 

How did you begin your career? 

‘I’ve always been interested in people and behaviour,’ says Julia. ‘I’m an avid reader, so I’ve always had a passion for the use of language and the impact it can have. It was when I had finished my studies in English and Law at university (paired with work experience at firms in Newcastle and London), that I decided to pursue a career in law.’ 

Has working in the legal industry lived up to your expectations? 

‘I expected the legal industry to be fast-paced and engaging. I hoped it would present long-term opportunities for my learning and development – and I have not been disappointed!’ Julia says. ‘My career to date has had many upsides, I have worked with some fascinating clients and helped them launch and scale their businesses. I’ve also enjoyed the experience of working as part of an in-house legal team and working closely with commercial colleagues. I’ve also been lucky enough to work in San Francisco and Bucharest when I worked for international firms.’ 

What are your main areas of Commercial expertise? 

‘I have a broad skillset, developed through years of working in private practice and in-house across diverse sectors such as energy, retail, engineering, and fast-moving consumer goods. I work with both consumer-facing and business clients, from startups to multi-nationals, and I always take a solutions-focused approach to help support clients with their objectives.’ 

How have you found working at Harper James so far?  

‘Having joined Harper James in September 2023, I was impressed by the business model, and the firm’s values and ways of working. At the beginning, I was naturally a little sceptical about what the day-to-day realities might be, given the approach of most law firms,’ says Julia. ‘But I’ve been pleased to find out what I hoped to be true is true. There are no egos, colleagues support each other, it’s a very high-trust environment and I have access to a constant supply of high quality, varied work from an interesting client base.’ 

Can you recall any key moments of your legal career? 

‘I was on the panel of the first Careering into Motherhood live event, along with speakers from a wide range of industries and backgrounds,’ Julia recalls. ‘We discussed how businesses can better support and empower women to have rewarding careers that fit in with their lives. Careering into Motherhood’s mission resonates with me (as a mum, and as a supporter of flexible working to support wellbeing and inclusion more broadly), so I was delighted to work with them at the event. Harper James' commitment to progressive workplace practices aligns seamlessly with my values and those championed by Careering into Motherhood, making it immensely fulfilling to be part of such an innovative law firm.’’ 

What do you think your clients value the most about how you work with them? 

‘I always take the time to get to know the business, their aspirations and concerns,’ Julia says. ‘I help them join the dots to enable their goals. Above all, I think clients value my down-to-earth and pragmatic approach.’ 

Do you have any hobbies? What do you do to unwind? 

‘I enjoy almost anything that involves being outdoors! Aside from that, I also enjoy art, painting, and drawing. I’ve also been trying to learn the guitar for what feels like forever.’ 

What’s the best piece of legal advice you could give a business? 

‘As with any professional relationship, it’s important to work with someone you trust and feel you can work well with. You will save a lot of money and avoid many headaches by finding the right legal advisor from the outset.’