Lord Leggatt, recently appointed to the Supreme Court, offers an insightful perspective on the journey toward his esteemed position. His reflections emphasize a balanced approach to ambition and the importance of enjoying each phase of one’s career.
Embracing Ambition Without Losing Perspective
In a recent interview, Lord Leggatt shared his thoughts on the risks of tying one’s identity solely to professional achievements. He stated, “I didn’t want to end my career feeling that I’d failed, of course, so I didn’t want to set everything on having got to the Supreme Court or not.” This mindset reflects his commitment to both personal satisfaction and professional growth.
Notably, Lord Leggatt’s path to the judiciary was not straightforward. As the son of a judge, he initially rejected a legal career in favor of studying philosophy at King’s College. He described this choice as an act of teenage rebellion, which ultimately enriched his legal perspective. “Let’s say we have a case about what the meaning of a ‘newspaper’ is… You enter into philosophical territory when you delve into abstract questions,” he explained.
His academic journey continued at Cambridge, where he balanced sports, such as rugby and rowing, with a unique sense of humor about his time in the University Wine Tasting team. “I came lowest of all the individual scores in the Cambridge team, but I still beat some of the Oxford individuals—that’s what counts!” he joked.
A Diverse Career Path
After graduating, Lord Leggatt spent a year at Harvard as a Harkness Fellow, where he began to consider a legal career. His role as a teaching assistant to renowned legal philosopher Ronald Dworkin significantly influenced his trajectory. He noted, “Undergraduates have all the fun, and grad students are a pretty serious bunch.” This experience prompted him to return to the UK, where he completed a law conversion course.
He then deferred his pupillage to teach at the University of Chicago, where he embraced the cold winters by jokingly stating he could “ski to the law school.” Following this, he joined Sullivan & Cromwell in New York, where he faced challenges in adapting to the corporate legal culture. “I felt I was just a little cog in an enormous legal machine,” he remarked, ultimately deciding to return to the UK as a commercial barrister.
Throughout his career, Lord Leggatt remained focused on broadening his experiences. As a Recorder, he took on criminal cases, preparing himself for future judicial opportunities. He recalled, “It’s exciting to argue cases, but it’s even more satisfying to actually have a say in deciding the case,” emphasizing his desire to impact legal decisions.
When three vacancies arose in the Supreme Court, Lord Leggatt had been serving on the Court of Appeal for only two years. Although his initial plan was to wait longer, he decided to apply, stating, “I’ve got to go for it now.” His successful appointment brought excitement but also reinforced his belief in enjoying the journey. “Don’t always be thinking about the next step. Otherwise, we’re not enjoying life as it goes along,” he concluded.
Lord Leggatt’s reflections serve as a reminder of the balance between ambition and appreciation for the present, demonstrating that while career aspirations can guide one’s path, they should not overshadow the enjoyment of life’s experiences.
