Work-Life Balance at Axiom: Helen's Inspiring Journey as a Channel-Crossing Lawyer

With three decades of experience across highly regulated industries, Axiom lawyer Helen shares how the flexible legal career model enables her to pursue both professional excellence and her personal passion—swimming solo across the English Channel while raising funds for five meaningful charities.

With more than 25 years of experience spanning the tobacco, pharmaceutical, and technology industries, Helen demonstrates how specialized legal experience can thrive within a flexible career model, showcasing the powerful alignment between professional excellence and personal fulfillment.

Helen's legal industry journey began when she qualified as a solicitor in the United Kingdom. Though she started in private practice, she quickly recognized that the traditional law firm environment wasn't where her talents truly flourished.

"I didn't enjoy private practice," she reflects. "I didn't enjoy the billing, the pressure. I really preferred the in-house environment where you could get much closer to the business."

Throughout her career, Helen established herself as a formidable commercial lawyer. She devoted more than a decade to in-house roles, providing expert guidance on complex commercial matters. Following the expansion of her family, Helen embraced greater flexibility by launching her own consultancy, offering specialized support to businesses on an as-needed basis.

"I enjoyed consulting because it gave me the flexibility I wanted after having my children," she says. "But it could be lonely sometimes working independently."

When Helen first discovered Axiom, the business model immediately piqued her interest.

"I wanted to find a more flexible approach to work, where I could choose engagements and manage my schedule," Helen explains. "I didn't want to be trapped in a rigid structure anymore."

For Helen, Axiom represents the ideal balance between conventional employment and independent consulting: "You get the autonomy of consulting with the support and structure of an organization behind you."

From Regulatory Experience to Tech Innovation: Helen's Legal Journey

Helen specializes in commercial law with particular strengths in contract negotiation, procurement, technology licensing, marketing agreements, and compliance with emerging regulations. Her career has primarily focused on supporting highly regulated industries such as tobacco and pharmaceuticals.

Today, Helen works with a leading technology client, supporting its software sales operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa: "My day-to-day work involves negotiating master services agreements, SaaS agreements, service delivery contracts, and advising on regulatory compliance."

One of the most exciting aspects of her current engagement is working with emerging regulations like the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). "It's really interesting being involved in advising on such a new and evolving regulation, particularly one that impacts the tech sector so heavily," Helen says. "Helping a client navigate something so new has been both a learning experience and a chance to really add value."

Helen credits Axiom's model for helping her stretch beyond her original industry focus. "At Axiom, I have been able to build my confidence in navigating different industries," she notes. "You're trusted for your skillset rather than confined by previous sector experience."

When asked about a particularly memorable client experience, Helen describes the feeling of being appreciated: "The client treats external counsel as an extension of their legal team. I feel trusted to handle negotiations independently, which is very rewarding. It makes you feel valued."

Helen also values the variety that comes with Axiom engagements: "You're not pigeonholed. One day, you could be negotiating a tech licensing agreement, and the next day, you're advising on competition issues. That breadth keeps the work really stimulating."

She adds, "It's given me the confidence to think, 'I can do that. I may not have direct sector experience, but I have the legal experience to figure it out.'"

Conquering the Channel: Helen's Epic 21-Mile Swim Journey

Outside of her legal career, Helen is pursuing one of the most physically and mentally demanding feats: swimming the English Channel solo.

"I've always been a swimmer," she says. "It's been my dream to swim the Channel since I was a teenager. But life, university, career, or family kept getting in the way."

It wasn't until her father's death that Helen found new motivation to take on the challenge.

"My grandfather was an RAF flight engineer who flew missions across the Channel during World War II, but was killed before he could return home. When I lost my father a few years ago, it reignited the idea for me. Swimming the Channel felt like a personal tribute to both of them."

Helen's Channel swim is a daunting task: The swim is about 21 miles, but with tides and currents, swimmers can end up swimming closer to 25 miles. “There's only a 60% success rate for solo swims," she shares, “The water's cold, and the conditions are unpredictable. It's an endurance challenge as mentally as it is physically."

And Helen's training has been nothing short of grueling. “I swim five or six days a week,” she explains. “During peak training, I'm swimming 30 kilometers a week, including six-hour swims in cold water."

She's also traveled for intensive open-water camps at Dover Harbor and Menorca, Spain. She notes that the mental training is just as important as the physical training: “You have to learn how to manage fear, fatigue, and boredom when you're alone in the water for hours."

Helen faced setbacks along the way, including a shoulder injury. Just when she thought the injury might end her swim dream, she persevered by working with physiotherapists, staying consistent, and getting stronger. “That taught me a lot about resilience," she says.

As she nears her attempt, Helen remains focused yet philosophical: "You can do everything right, and on the day, the conditions can beat you. It's about preparing as best you can and staying mentally strong no matter what happens."

Making Waves of Change

Helen's swim is more than just a personal milestone; it's also a fundraising mission. She's raising money via GoFundMe for five charities:

• RAF Benevolent Fund to honor her grandfather.
• Dementia UK, supporting families impacted by dementia.
• Young Minds advocates for youth mental health.
• Charlie's Promise is working to end knife crime in the UK.
• Pleasant Valley Camp to celebrate her own leadership development journey.

"These charities represent causes that have directly touched my life," Helen says. "I wanted the swim to make a difference for others, not just for myself."

Helen shares that Axiom's flexible work model has been essential to managing this massive personal endeavor: "If I were working full-time in a law firm or a rigid in-house role, I simply couldn't make it work. At Axiom, I can plan my schedule around my training needs, which has been life-changing."

A typical training week for Helen includes early morning swims, client work during the day, and longer evening training sessions. She shares it’s busy but achievable, and she even sees clear parallels between her legal work and swimming.

"Both require strategic thinking, endurance, and adaptability. Whether I'm navigating tough negotiations or battling tides, staying calm and thinking ahead is key."

Professional Evolution: How Axiom Transformed Helen's Legal Career

Being part of the Axiom community has been transformative for Helen both personally and professionally.

"There's a real culture of trust and respect at Axiom. You're treated as a professional capable of managing your work and your life," she says. "The support I've had from both Axiom and my client has made all the difference in balancing work with my Channel swim training."

Helen also appreciates how the Axiom model benefits clients: "Clients get highly experienced lawyers who can integrate quickly and start adding value right away. And as lawyers, we get the flexibility to bring our best selves to work."

She adds, "Axiom's approach isn't just good for lawyers. It's good for business. When lawyers have room to live fuller lives, they do better work."

Charting Your Own Course: Helen's Blueprint for Professional and Personal Success

For other lawyers contemplating big goals outside of work, Helen has clear advice: "Don't wait for the perfect moment; there's no such thing. Start today, take small steps, and trust that you can balance both professional ambition and personal dreams."

She believes that her experience at Axiom has helped her redefine success. "Success used to mean climbing the corporate ladder,” she notes, “Now, it's about balance, purpose, and being able to live a full life. I'm an Axiom lawyer because it gives me the freedom to work flexibly, live fully, and achieve my dreams."

As Helen prepares for her Channel swim later this year, she carries with her not just the hope of reaching France but also the lessons learned through years of perseverance, grit, and self-belief. Whether she's navigating tough waters or tough negotiations, Helen demonstrates the caliber of legal talent businesses can access through Axiom and the fulfilling career path available to lawyers ready to redefine their professional journey.

For attorneys looking to transform their career while pursuing personal passions, join the Axiom network.