Gef’s 30 Under 30 Winners: Q&A with Sara-Jayne Dodge

Ten categories. Thirty young visionaries making their mark on the Isle of Man. Introducing the all-new #Gef30Under30 winners: the next generation of our island’s leaders.

The Stonehage Fleming Collaboration winners work within their fields to help the island’s most vulnerable people, doing incredible things to serve those in need.

What is your name?

Sara-Jayne Dodge, age 29.

Job title or role in the community?

Advocate with Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd.

How did you start your career or role in the community?

I completed my law degree and always knew I wanted to come back to the Isle of Man. I returned to the island and worked at the NSC as a lifeguard until an opportunity arose to work as a conveyancer at a local firm. Whilst working as a conveyancer I was constantly asking the advocates in the firm about the work they were doing and it confirmed to me that I wanted to become one. As soon as a training contract became available I applied and the rest is history! When I qualified I found it difficult to decide which area of law I wanted to go into. All I knew was I wanted to be a litigator and two and a half years down the line I still do a variety of litigious work.

Tell us about your business/industry, is there something interesting about it that most people wouldn’t expect?

I think most people expect being a lawyer to be like they see on Suits, but it is much more than that! A large proportion of my role is spent liaising with different authorities and clients to try to reach a positive solution. Also, 2023 marks 50 years of women in law in the Isle of Man and at the time of writing 52% of the Manx Bar are women.

Tell us about why you think you won the category you did?

Finding out I had been nominated and selected as a winner was a pleasant surprise. It has given me the ability to reflect on my contribution to the community which I previously hadn’t realised is as significant as it is. I do a lot of work that requires me to collaborate with many different agencies and individuals to come together to make a positive impact for the individuals and wider community. I think that is the reason I have been awarded the collaboration award.

Who are your role models, either on-island or off, in your sector or outside of it?

My boss and mentor Vicki Unsworth. Not only is Vicki an extremely knowledgeable and skillful advocate with an outstanding reputation, but she also has the ability to manage multiple responsibilities without letting anything fall to the wayside. She is the President of the Isle of Man Law Society, she has reformed the route to qualifying as an Advocate plus she is always willing to support and guide her employees and members of the Manx Bar.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

It isn’t necessarily advice I have received but something I continually remind myself is that you cannot judge someone when you haven’t walked in their shoes.

What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in your career?

You enter the profession as a youngster with trepidation and concern but the Manx Bar is extremely supportive and welcoming. The more you speak to the experienced practitioners, the more you come to realise they are in the profession to help others and make a difference.

What are your plans for the future?

I hope to make a real difference in the community by promoting positive change and mentoring the next generation, not only within my profession but also within the wider community.

What changes do you hope to see in your sector or community in the coming years?

I would love for the island to concentrate on advancing mental health support and early intervention. The island has the unique benefit of being able to make legislative change quickly, without the cumbersome bureaucratic approach of other nations and I would hope to see this being utilised to improve mental health provision. I would also like to see rehabilitative strategies being deployed for juvenile offenders. This will necessitate the use of funding however the benefit of this will be seen and felt by the community in the long term.

What, for you, are the benefits of staying on or moving back to the island for young people under 30?

The smaller community on the island provides a freedom for young people to flourish. It means there can be a greater impact when you are passionately promoting your cause and on a sunny day the beauty of the island goes unchallenged. Why wouldn’t you want to live here?