Dr David Thomson, barrister and independent legal chairman of a number of sports disciplinary bodies, 1 Chancery Lane

From medicine to law

I began my professional life reading medicine and, after house jobs, working toward a surgical career. I undertook the usual surgical junior training posts before deciding that surgery was not for me. I decided to retrain in general practice and study for a law degree. I arranged a part-time GP training post (two years halftime rather than one year full-time, but still with the same night time on call) and studied for my law degree at London University, followed by a masters in law at Cambridge.

Studying law while working

I was fortunate enough to be able to choose and arrange my law degree topics so that I could study for about half the week and work the other half. I strove to ensure that I avoided a complete focus on medical law by taking a range of subjects, such as intellectual property, competition law and the law of peacekeeping and armed conflict. At the same time as legal study and GP work, I acted as a medico-legal consultant for a range of solicitors, working early mornings or evenings when necessary to fit it all in. I decided to practise law and chose to go to the Bar rather than become a solicitor, primarily because I enjoyed advocacy.

Using my medical expertise at the Bar

My practice at the Bar is related to my expertise. I mostly deal with serious injury and professional negligence. I have also developed expertise in sports law. I have managed a measure of success so far, with mentions in the legal directories such as the Legal 500 and Chambers Directory. The combination of hard work, legal qualifications and considerable experience at the Bar or with solicitors, together with my medical degree and practice, has allowed me to become an effective barrister in a competitive field.