International Women’s Day Insights: Hilary Cragg, Partner & Solicitor

Written by Hilary Cragg | Care Support Team | 08 March 2024

This International Women's Day, we're highlighting the journeys, challenges, and experiences of our female lawyers. Their stories show the importance of diversity, resilience, and empowerment in shaping an inclusive legal community.

We’re hearing from Hilary Cragg, who is a Partner and Solicitor in our Care Support Team.

Hilary joined Nash & Co in 2008 as a trainee solicitor and qualified on 1 March 2010. Hilary has a particular interest in issues concerning elderly and vulnerable clients, and has amassed considerable experience in matters relating to funding of care home fees including NHS Continuing Healthcare funding and discharge issues, particularly supporting people at Best Interests meetings.

In March 2012 she passed the entrance exam and became an Accredited Member of Solicitors for the Elderly and in October 2012, became a Committee Member of the Devon & Cornwall Regional Group for Solicitors for the Elderly, currently she is the Treasurer.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be and why?

If I were not a lawyer, I would want to be a nurse, doctor or psychologist or psychiatrist.  I want to be in an industry that helps people when they are feeling at their worst and improve the quality of their life.

What advice would you give your younger self at the start of your legal journey?

There is a place for everyone in the industry, you will need to work out your own place/specialism/style.  Then expand your knowledge and skill set in order to fulfil what is your place within the profession.

Which of your strengths have contributed to your success within the profession?

My work and clientele is niche, I work with very vulnerable people and their relatives, who are emotionally vulnerable because of the situation of their loved ones.  I not only deal with their legal queries, but provide compassionate advice in a relational manner and in a non-judgemental way.

How do you juggle your personal life and professional life (think family, studies, etc), and what advice would you give to other women in your position?

As a woman, balancing professional requirements and home life is difficult. It is important to understand that this is hard for all women, you are not alone and the feelings of inadequacy is something universal.  It is helpful to give up ideas of perfection, good enough is OK.  And realising that each day you are doing the best that you can and some days that best will function much lower or higher than others, but it will still be your best and, as such, it is enough.