Samantha Ingram is a director of Davisons Law and head of the Residential Property department. She deals with all manner of residential conveyancing work, including complex matters involving HMOs, high rise properties and leasehold. In addition to acting for first-time and returning clients, Sam regularly acts for property developers who have a property portfolio which they either rent as investment or modernise for sale. She also oversee’s the firm’s Lexcel and Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditations. She is a council member for the Birmingham Law Society and chair of the BLS Property and Development Committee.
What was your career path to your current role?
I started out as a secretary from leaving university in 2000 and I qualified as a solicitor in 2006, all with Davisons Law. I became the first female partner at the firm since it started 41 years ago – an achievement I am very proud of.
That was the goal I told the senior partner, Gary Davison, I was aiming for at my very first appraisal in 2002. I achieved it in 2009 and I now lead one of the country’s largest conveyancing teams.
Did you have any other career ambitions?
I am about to achieve another of my goals by becoming one of the few female presidents of the Birmingham Law Society; a pathway that starts this year as the deputy vice president, onto vice president in 2027 and then president in 2028 – all being well.
What keeps you motivated in your work?
Junior members of the conveyancing community and clients; especially those I’ve acted for on more than one occasion.
Throughout my career, I have been committed not only to delivering excellence for my clients but also to supporting and inspiring others, championing professional development, and mentoring future talent at Davisons Law.
I also never close my door to those who decide to continue their journey elsewhere at other firms. I am still on the end of the phone or an email.
If you could change one thing about the transaction process, what would it be?
The sometimes negative opinions of the conveyancing process and those who work in the industry. We are all trying to get to the same end goal. The process is by no means perfect but those who work in the industry work extremely hard and often outside of normal working hours.
What has been the best development in conveyancing in the last 20 years?
Online planning portals! It’s very helpful and speedy to be able to access historical planning documents at the click of a button. I wish more documents were as easily accessible, such as management company standard documentation
And the worst?
Management company fees and timescales for documents and replies to enquiries.
Do you think conveyancing will ever be fully digitalised?
No. Moving house for whatever reason is still an emotional event whereby guidance and support needs to be given at pinnacle points.
Do you think it should be?
No, for the reasons above!
What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you regarding your career?
Every lawyer starts somewhere. You are not expected to know everything on day one, and there is no shame in saying, “I don’t know, but I will find out.”
What matters is being honest, willing to learn and committed to doing things properly.
What advice would you like to give to someone just starting out?
Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is how you deal with them. If something has gone wrong, raise it as soon as possible so it can be addressed quickly and properly. The earlier an issue is identified, the easier it usually is to resolve. Try not to panic – most problems can be managed with honesty, support and the right next steps.
Tell us something people may be surprised to know about you…
I held the position of ‘hooker’ in an all-female rugby team at the University of Huddersfield.
