LOD Alumni: How Subha found the team where she truly belongs

LOD alumna Subha found more than a new role through her secondment at McMillan Shakespeare Group, she found a team where she truly belongs. After joining as a secondee, she secured a permanent role as Senior Legal Counsel, where she continues to build a rewarding career.

Tell us about your career background.

I am a commercial lawyer who has been fortunate to work across a broad range of organisations and sectors throughout my career. My experience has included working within a large diversified corporate group, a national regulatory authority, and financial services organisations, as well as supporting businesses through significant transformation and change initiatives.

I started my legal career in litigation before moving into in-house roles, where I discovered I really enjoyed partnering with businesses and helping them solve practical commercial problems. Over the years I've worked on everything from commercial contracting and procurement through to regulatory compliance, governance, technology projects, risk management, and strategic transformation programs.

One thing that has remained consistent throughout my career is curiosity. I've always enjoyed understanding how organisations operate, what drives their success and how legal teams can contribute beyond simply managing risk or operate as “helpdesk”. That curiosity has led me to some rewarding experiences throughout my career and, most recently, to my current role as Senior Legal Counsel at McMillan Shakespeare Group.

What drew you to LOD?

What initially drew me to LOD was the opportunity to continue growing my career while remaining open to new experiences and challenges.

The LOD model offered access to organisations, people, and experiences that I may not otherwise have been exposed to. I liked the idea of stepping into new environments, learning quickly and contributing meaningfully from day one.

What also stood out to me was that LOD genuinely took the time to understand who I was beyond my CV. It always felt like they were focused on finding roles and experiences that aligned with my strengths, interests, and long-term goals rather than simply filling a position.

What were your experiences working on an assignment with LOD? What types of clients did you gain exposure to, and what kind of work did you do?

My experience through LOD gave me exposure to a wide variety of organisations and legal challenges.

I worked with a large multi-industry corporate group, a national regulatory authority and organisations within the financial services sector. The work itself was equally varied and included commercial contracting, procurement, governance, regulatory compliance, technology initiatives and major business transformation projects.

What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to become embedded within each organisation and work alongside the business as a trusted adviser. Rather than feeling like an external resource, I was treated as part of the team and given the opportunity to contribute to important projects and strategic decisions.

Every assignment challenged me in a different way and helped me develop both professionally and personally.

Where has your assignment journey with LOD brought you to now?

My LOD journey ultimately led me to a permanent role with McMillan Shakespeare Group (MMS).

I joined MMS as an LOD secondee in November 2025 and very quickly felt at home. From day one, the legal team made me feel welcome and integrated me into the business with ease. I never really felt like a secondee. I just felt part of the team.

What stood out was that this extended well beyond the legal team. The stakeholders I worked with across the business were approachable, supportive, and generous with their time. It made it easy to build relationships and contribute from the outset.

A big part of that experience was Michelle Siekierka's leadership. She trusted me from the beginning, involved me in interesting and challenging work, and created an environment where people are encouraged to contribute. That level of trust makes a real difference.

When the opportunity came up to join MMS permanently as Senior Legal Counsel in March 2026, it was a very easy decision. By then I already felt part of the team. I enjoyed the work, I enjoyed the people and I had a lot of respect for the way the business operated. It felt like a place where I could continue learning, contribute meaningfully and build a long-term career.

What was something that positively surprised you about working with LOD?

What surprised me most was how invested LOD was in my long-term success.

They were always looking for ways to help me grow professionally, and sometimes they saw potential in me before I saw it myself. There were occasions when I wasn't entirely convinced a particular role or assignment was the right fit, but the LOD team encouraged me to back myself and give it a go.

Looking back, some of those experiences turned out to be the most important steps in my career.

They were also very good at sharing positive feedback and recognising people's strengths. Whenever clients provided positive feedback, the team made sure it was passed on and they were never shy about advocating for me when new opportunities arose.

It genuinely felt like they were invested in helping me build a career, not simply placing me into secondments.

How has LOD supported you in your career and life?

LOD has played a significant role in shaping the next chapter of my career.

Professionally, they connected me with experiences that expanded my skillset, challenged me in new ways, and ultimately led me to a role that I genuinely enjoy today. They consistently encouraged me to pursue work that aligned with my strengths and ambitions while providing support throughout the journey.

Personally, they understood that careers don't exist in isolation. Life happens, priorities change and circumstances evolve. Throughout my time with LOD, I always felt supported as a person rather than simply a resource being placed into assignments. During this I went through some very hard challenges in my personal life and I know without the kind of support I had from the team at LOD, I wouldn’t have managed my professional career successfully as I did.

Looking back, LOD didn't just help me find interesting work. They helped me find a team and organisation where I could build a long-term career and continue growing both professionally and personally.

What advice would you give to someone considering a secondment?

Go in with an open mind.

Sometimes the experience that has the biggest impact on your career isn't the one you originally had mapped out for yourself. Secondments give you the chance to broaden your experience, build new relationships, and gain exposure to different ways of thinking and working.

My advice would be to embrace the experience, stay curious, and invest in the people around you. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone and focus on adding value wherever you can.

You never know where a secondment might lead. In my case, it led to a role and organisation that I probably wouldn't have discovered otherwise.

If you could describe your LOD journey using just one word, what would it be, and why?

Transformational.

Not because it changed my job title, but because it changed where I ended up.

LOD opened doors throughout my career and consistently backed me, including at times when I was unsure about the next step being put in front of me. They saw potential in me, encouraged me to take chances and genuinely cared about my long-term success.

Most importantly, though, the journey led me to McMillan Shakespeare Group. I joined MMS as a secondee in November 2025 and from the outset I was treated as part of the team. That sense of belonging extended beyond the legal team to the broader business and the stakeholders I worked with every day.

By the time MMS offered me a permanent role as Senior Legal Counsel in March 2026, it didn't really feel like I was making a move. I already felt part of the team.

LOD created the opportunity, but MMS gave me a place where I could build something long term. When I look back on the journey, that's what makes it transformational. It helped me find not just my next role, but a team, leadership group and organisation where I genuinely feel I belong.

Inspired by Subha's journey? Speak to our team to learn how an LOD secondment could help you gain valuable experience, expand your network and take the next step in your legal career.