Who

Associates extend LEC's capacity while maintaining our methodology and standards.

All associates align with LEC's values: premium quality, legal sector fluency, evidence-based rigour, client-led agility and sustainable ways of working.

Every engagement is overseen for 
fitness and quality. Louisa remains closely involved in design and quality assurance.

Clients can work directly with Louisa 
or with an associate best matched to their needs and time zones.

Meet our team

Louisa Elder

  • Louisa Elder is a graduate of Oxford University, qualified lawyer, post graduate First-Class honours in Psychotherapy and Founder of Louisa Elder Consulting. Louisa began her career as a lawyer at Clifford Chance LLP and now specialises in providing talent assessment and development in law firms. Her practice includes executive coaching; facilitation; mentoring; and leadership training.

    Louisa brings deep commercial expertise from her background in senior leadership positions. Louisa offers decades of experience coaching CEOs, Business Leaders and Partners as well as facilitating groups of accomplished leaders. Louisa now partners with leaders and organisations to deliver strategic and precise insights.  Louisa has a BA and MA (Oxon); Postgraduate BA (Integrative Relational Psychotherapy); is an ICF Accredited Coach (PCC) and BPS Accredited Psychometric Tester (Occupational & Personality). 

  • Louisa is passionate about resolving key issues and creating lasting change. She creates swift, measurable high-quality results. Louisa has a proven track record of significant improvements to individual, team and business performance. Louisa assesses candidates and teams for higher performance, establishing greater teamwork and enhanced engagement when leading. Her results demonstrate improvement to the bottom line and enable optimum delivery and business value.

    Her approach is described as practical and transformative. Highly adaptable, Louisa has worked successfully in different cultures and environments. Louisa brings deep expertise in assessing, developing, and coaching global talent at all levels. She is known for her calming energy and powerful insights.

    • Authentic Leadership & Leadership Style (Presence & Impact; Personal Brand; Leadership Solutions).

    • Inner Resilience & Self-Confidence (overcoming “Imposter Syndrome”).

    • Effective Communication.

    • Performance Management & Mindset.

    • Productive Habits (including Business Development & Networking).

    • Negotiation Strategies (Power & Politics).

  • “Louisa’s coaching has been a game changer for our law firm. Her tailored approach helped our cohort of existing Income Partner and newly appointed Income Partners to manage complex situations with more authority. She has an extremely genuine, warm, and encouraging style. She brings gravitas through her research and evidence-based approach. The feedback from all our Partners has been exceptional. Thank you, Louisa.”

    Oliver, Managing Partner, Global Law Firm

    “It has been incredible to see the transformation in our partners approach to Business Development. Louisa ran a pilot programme across all our US offices. We began with our Litigation Department and tracked the progress carefully. It has been such a success that this has now been offered to all Departments. Louisa is the opposite of a fluffy coach! She keeps her clients accountable with specific and measurable actions. She is a unique coach, bringing challenge with warmth. The leadership team have all commented on Louisa as truly amazing. She is a brilliant coach who really understands what it is like to work in a law firm.”

    Richard, Head of Litigation, Global Law Firm

Kate Adey

  • Kate works with Partners and senior leaders in law and professional services firms at the intersection of leadership, career transition, and human wholeness. Her background spans working at a Big Four consulting firm and then with a specialist leadership development consulting firm. Kate has designed and delivered bespoke leadership programmes for senior leaders and their teams.

    For over 15 years Kate has worked directly with many law firms. She has coached HR Directors, delivered new Partner coaching (alongside partner development programmes) and supported senior associates on the partnership track. Kate has completed academic research on transitioning to motherhood and returning to work in professional services firms. Kate works as an executive and parent transition coach supporting leaders through pivotal organisational and life changes.

  • Kate brings a fresh perspective, allowing her coachees to see new ways of looking at work, themselves and the possibilities that are open to them. Kate works collaboratively with a high level of curiosity. She questions in different ways and leads to new realisations at both a profound and practical level. This enables her to see what is getting in the way of the team, the leader and the culture. Kate responds in the moment to both individual and group challenges and instantly provides a safe space for transformation to happen. This allows for more clarity, less exhaustion and better results.

    • Business development, managing teams, communication and influence, identity shifts and partner dynamics.

    • Team development – Working with practice groups and leadership teams on understanding what drives exhaustion and erodes performance, unspoken tensions, collective exhaustion and shifting patterns that block performance.

    • Women in transition – Maternity leave returning as a new partner, menopause transitions, career pivots.

  • “Kate's ability to see possibilities I hadn't seen helped me structure a plan for my promotion to Partner. She helped me test out my business case and build confidence through the process. I was successful in my promotion which happened during my maternity leave and Kate really helped in this process. On my return she supported me to step into the role, especially the business development side of it which was new to me. Thank you, Kate.”

    Natalie, Legal Director, Silver Circle Law Firm

    “Kate's ability to present different ways of looking at issues with a fresh perspective is invaluable. She helped me get out of feeling stuck in my negative patterns and identify who I am and the value I bring to my work. I now feel much more hopeful about the future and the positive actions I can take."

    Megan, Senior Associate, Magic Circle Law firm

    “Out of every executive coach I’ve had, I feel most comfortable with Kate. Her background in professional services has been a perfect fit. She recognised that both home and work life play a role in helping me be my best. The joint sessions with my boss were really fruitful. Overall, the experience has been phenomenal.”

    Sam, Director, Professional Services Firm

Charlotte Andrews

  • Charlotte Andrews is an ICF-trained Executive, Business and Personal Development Coach and former Litigation Lawyer with a decade of experience in the legal profession. Following her career in clinical negligence at leading firms including Fieldfisher LLP and Hugh James, Charlotte now partners with ambitious professionals and leaders across law, financial services, and corporate sectors to help them perform and feel at their best.

    Charlotte coaches lawyers at every stage of their careers, from associates stepping into greater responsibility to senior leaders refining their leadership presence and influence. She also delivers bespoke workshops for law firms focused on retention, leadership progression, and sustainable performance.

  • Charlotte’s coaching is grounded in a “thought partnership” - a powerful blend of empathy and challenge. Warm, perceptive, and pragmatic, she quickly gets to the heart of what’s holding clients back while creating a safe, structured space for honest reflection and meaningful growth.

    Her legal background brings analytical rigour, commercial awareness and a real understanding of high-pressure working environments. Her coaching expertise brings clarity, confidence and momentum.  Clients describe her sessions as energising, transformative and action-focused - striking the right balance between support, challenge and accountability.

    • Authentic Leadership & Personal Brand.

    • Work/Life Balance & Transition Coaching (including return from maternity leave).

    • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and managing your “Inner Critic”.

    • Confidence & Resilience Building.

    • Effective Communication and Networking Skills.

  • “Working with Charlotte has had an incredibly positive impact on both my professional and personal growth. Through our sessions, she has helped me recognise my worth, boosting my confidence and giving me a renewed sense of energy in my work. Her coaching style is both structured and flexible, ensuring that every session feels like tangible progress. Charlotte has kept me accountable while offering the support I need, equipping me with the tools to bring clarity and purpose to my career. Her professional yet down-to-earth approach makes each session not only productive but also enjoyable. I look forward to continuing to work together.”

    Georgia, Sales Manager, Amazon

    “Working with Charlotte has been a transformative experience during a crucial stage in my business journey. Her insights and strategic guidance brought me newfound clarity, helped me establish meaningful goals, and kept me accountable every step of the way. Charlotte has a remarkable ability to understand your unique obstacles and deliver practical, actionable solutions that truly make a difference. I wholeheartedly recommend her coaching to anyone seeking to elevate their mindset and optimise business performance.”

    Lyndsey, Director, AMARE

Ian Claffey

  • Ian is an award-winning master executive coach. His experience has been gained supporting individuals and teams within international organisations in various locations in London, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Germany, France, Italy, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia, Japan, Nigeria and South Africa. He is an accredited member of three independent coaching organisations and a Patron and major sponsor of ADMWE, the Association for the Development of Mongolian Women in Europe. Ian works with International Law Firms, Financial Services, Investment Banking, Insurance, Risk Management, Auto Industry, Formula 1 Management, Oil & Gas, Aerospace and Defence.

  • Ian trained as a coach and psychotherapist with a Master's in Psychoanalysis; he then developed a successful private practice in Harley Street. Over the past 23 years, he has been involved in one-to-one client work and small & large-scale coaching programmes. He takes a solution-focused, eclectic, and client-centred approach, making it easy for his clients to gauge the success of their programme. He believes a coaching session should offer the client the opportunity to explore all relevant issues. His experience has been developed in coaching in eleven countries. He is committed to client confidentiality while remaining accountable to the sponsor by agreeing to timeframes and measurable outcomes from the outset.

    • Strategy and performance.

    • Communication skills.

    • Imposter syndrome.

    • Resilience and well-being.

    • Gravitas and presence.

    • Emotional Intelligence.

    • Assertiveness.

    • Managing Global Teams.

    • Cross-cultural challenges.

    • C-suite career transitions.

    • Crisis Coaching.

  • “Ian was my executive coach during the turbulent yet successful period in 2020-2021, seeing me take on my first CEO position. His ability to gently raise questions a leader should consider, suggest things to try, and frame a strategy around these steps has been priceless. Many thanks. I can warmly recommend working with Ian.”

    André, President and CEO at Nordic Investment Bank

    “Ian provided both one-to-one and team coaching support for our executive leadership team whilst we worked through a major team restructure. He helped us identify our individual and team strengths and explore our business vision and mission. Ian facilitated team coaching events for us both in London and Italy, as we worked through the allocation of new roles and responsibilities. I would be happy to recommend Ian.”

    Josephine, Chief Executive, Frogmore Property – UK Real Estate Fund Manager

Emily Lew

  • During her career as a lawyer Emily experienced first-hand the positive impact of coaching. Emily brings lived experience to her coaching practice, gained from twenty years of working in Magic Circle law firms and sitting on the strategic board of a medical charity. Most recently Emily has headed a legal tech and innovation team which has involved mentoring tech start-ups.

  • Emily has a warm and energetic coaching style. Emily’s approach is to facilitate space and time for her clients to work through whatever challenges they may be facing. Emily loves to see her clients progress to clearer thinking, identifying positive solutions, and fulfilling their greatest potential.

    Emily encourages her clients to step away from their daily demands and engage in strategic thinking, priority setting, and reflection. This adds tangible value to their professional performance, relationships, and wellbeing in the workplace.

    • Partnership promotion coaching.

    • Family leave coaching.

    • Implementing AI programmes in law firms.  Particularly well equipped to coach on topics relating to change management in professional services.

  • “Emily has a fresh and dynamic approach to coaching, bringing a wealth of experience from working across multiple disciplines in the legal sector. What strikes me about her is how 'in-touch' she is with the challenges one can face while navigating the ambiguity of the current professional landscape, and therefore has an ability to help her coachees focus on controllables. She is practical, methodical, and flexible in her approach, but also has a strong drive to deeply understand the intrinsic needs of her coaching clients. I have had the pleasure of matching Emily with several of our employees across our legal and business services teams, all of whom have expressed gratitude in her support to enable them to realise their full potential.”

    Harriet, Talent Development, Taylor Wessing  

    “Thank you to Emily for facilitating an engaging and insightful discussion on career development for junior litigators. You brought clarity to a topic that can often feel overwhelming and created a valuable space for constructive reflection.”

    Lauren, Legal Counsel, Johnson Matthey

Alec Pearson

  • Alec holds an MBA and is an ICF PCC (Professional Certified Coach), a Chartered Manager (FCMI), a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership (FloL), and a Member of the Institute of Directors (MloD). Over the past 15+ years Alec has developed and coached 5,500+ professionals, including lawyers, leaders, and senior teams. His wider background spans 30+ years in business across multiple sectors. Alec supports partners and senior lawyers to lead with greater clarity, confidence and judgement under pressure and scrutiny.

    He has spent 10 years working in the legal sector, so understands the realities of client pressure, billing demands, reputation risk, partnership dynamics, and the day-to-day challenge of leading people while still delivering at pace. Alec supports senior lawyers to build self-awareness and leadership confidence, get clear on priorities, make hard calls sooner, and manage difficult conversations with calm authority.

  • Alec’s confidential, straight talking, and practical approach, allows him to focus on real situations resulting in better judgement, stronger leadership, and calmer execution. He will challenge, keep you focussed and work with you for accountability and accelerating insight. Alec believes the measure is simple: What changes in your week and not what sounds good in a session.

    • Leadership under pressure.

    • People leadership.

    • Commercial Leadership.

    • Transitions and Growth.

    • Team effectiveness.

    • Strategy Development.

  • “Alec provided fantastic guidance and support during a transitional time in my career when I was lacking confidence and questioning my abilities. He has a wonderful ability to offer considered, practical insight tailored to you, helping you develop professionally and perform at a high level for the long term.”

    Stuart, Partner, UK Law Firm

    “Alec has an extremely genuine, warm, and encouraging coaching style, which builds trust and engagement early on. My sessions with Alec helped break down leadership barriers, and I now feel more motivated, more confident, and better equipped to manage issues and risk.”

    Mika, Legal Senior Associate, Magic Circle Law Firm, UK

    “Alec’s coaching has been a game-changer for my progression in law. His tailored approach helped me leverage my strengths, build confidence, and manage complex situations with more authority. The insights were practical and immediately applicable — and I’ve had clear positive feedback and opportunities to lead work that previously felt out of reach.”

    Lucy, Senior Associate, Global Law Firm, UK

Allyson Best

  • Executive Assistant & Operations Manager with over 15 years experience supporting in high-growth environments. Proven track record in streamlining operations, assisting with project management workflows. Adept at balancing project workflow, diary management and ensuring a smooth client experience.

  • High discretion, fantastic organisational skills and a can-do attitude to anything.

Louisa is an outstanding coach, facilitator and team leader. I was struck by her engaging, professional and creative manner. She listens intently, ensuring that she provides tailored, high-value insights. She has provided immense impact.


Sarah, Co-Chair Litigation