A legal specialist will swap her Trusts and Estates case load for lifting massive weights when she travels to Sun City in South Africa in October (4th-11th).
Lily Smalley, who works for Talbots Law in the West Midlands, has received a call-up to represent England at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships.
The 20-year-old from Stourbridge only started powerlifting less than twelve months ago and has taken the sport by storm, culminating in a third-place finish at the English Championships in June.
This performance meant she received an invitation to travel with the England squad and will now compete as a reserve on the world stage.
Talbot Law, who she joined in August 2022, is backing her sporting pursuits with sponsorship. Her efforts so far have been entirely self-funded, so the company has stepped in and paid for competition entries and vital equipment, in order for her to continue her exciting journey.
“When I started a demanding career in law, I knew that I had to find a hobby to help me balance my personal and professional lives and to give me something to dedicate myself to outside of work,” explained Lily.
“I’d competed as a gymnast for over a decade, so commitment to an intense training schedule felt natural. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with powerlifting due to the physical and mental growth I quickly saw in myself.”
She went on to add: “It’s a real privilege to have been called up to the England team and still feels incredibly surreal. I’ll be doing all I can to make the most of the experience and, importantly, inspire other young women to try the sport.”
Lily is beginning to attract a following on social media and has encouraged anyone interested in learning more about powerlifting as a beginner to follow her Instagram page (@lilyliftin) for regular updates.
Dave Hodgetts, Chief Executive of Talbots Law, added his support: “Our team is made up of remarkable people, people who are not only fantastic legal professionals, but also achieve amazing things outside of work.
“We are so proud of what Lily has done in less than a year and we know how lucky the England team are to have such a vibrant and inspiring personality joining them at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in a few months.”
About Talbots Law
Founded in 1828, Talbots Law is one of the fastest growing law firms in the West Midlands, with 480 staff located in eleven offices across the Black Country, Birmingham, Coventry, Worcester, and North Worcestershire.
Operating 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, it was one of the first companies locally to gain the Lexcel quality mark, a promise to the client that they will receive the very best legal advice in conveyancing, corporate, employment, family, wills, trusts and estates law.
As a result of organic growth and M&A activity, legal fees have increased year-on-year and are expected to hit over £30m by 2025.
