From Career Break to Partner: How Natalie Quinlivan Rebuilt Her Career After Motherhood

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of If You Ask Me, Hannah and Sarah speak with Natalie Quinlivan, Partner in the Dispute Resolution team at Fieldfisher, about her  route to partnership and what she learned from briefly stepping away from private practice to raise her young family.Natalie shares how she took a two-and-a-half-year career break, navigated the uncertainty of returning to law during the pandemic, and deliberately set herself the challenge of making partner within two years of returning to practice—a goal she successfully achieved.The conversation explores the realities of rebuilding confidence after maternity leave, the importance of coaching, sponsorship and honest feedback, and how becoming a parent reshaped Natalie's approach to leadership, ambition and success. She discusses the practical support systems that enabled her career progression, why culture matters when choosing a firm, and how women can advocate for themselves rather than waiting to be recognised.Natalie also reflects on the challenges of balancing partnership with raising young children, the importance of building a personal and professional support network, and why she believes motherhood has made her a stronger lawyer rather than holding her back.If You Ask Me is sponsored by BlckBx, the life admin personal assistant behind professional working families - saving you time, mental load and giving you back your energy.Sign up at blckbx.co.uk and get 10% off with code Blue10