What does it take to lead a global law firm’s London office through a period of unprecedented change and still put people first? In this episode, we sit down with Kathleen Harris, London Managing Partner at Arnold & Porter, who shares how her journey from barrister to senior civil servant to managing partner has shaped a leadership philosophy built on merit, openness, and creating environments where people can thrive.
Kathleen Harris has never taken the conventional route. A barrister by training who went on to hold senior roles at the Serious Fraud Office and the Attorney General’s Office, she joined Arnold & Porter and rose to become London Managing Partner — stepping into the role just as COVID reshaped the profession. In this candid conversation, Kathleen talks about what drew her to leadership (spoiler: it started with her Saturday job), why she believes the best leaders are the ones you don’t always see, and how she navigates the toughest parts of the role — from saying no to supporting colleagues through personal challenges. She also shares her perspective on diversity in the legal profession, why Arnold & Porter has held firm on its founding principles despite shifts in the US landscape, and the advice she’d give to anyone starting out in law today.
Key Takeaways
- Leadership is about creating the environment, not controlling the outcome. Kathleen believes you never get the best from people by putting them under pressure to perform — you get it by gently creating the space where they can thrive.
- Learn from every role model – good and bad. Rather than seeking one perfect mentor, Kathleen credits a series of people throughout her career, including those whose style she wouldn’t want to replicate, for shaping the leader she’s become.
- The hardest part of leadership is the invisible work. From supporting colleagues through personal difficulties to making strategic decisions you can’t fully explain, much of what a managing partner does goes unseen — and that’s how it should be.
- Diversity should be lived values, not a policy on a shelf. Arnold & Porter’s commitment to inclusivity is a founding principle, not a response to trends. Kathleen co-chairs the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and believes real progress comes from creating cultures where the best people can succeed, regardless of background.
- Be the best version of you. Kathleen’s consistent advice to aspiring lawyers: focus on your own abilities rather than the competition, match your talent to your ambition, and never underestimate the importance of hard work, dedication, and genuine passion.
