Legal Cheek Careers sits down with TLT senior associate Michaela Bolton
In the evolving field of public law, where government decisions are subject to close scrutiny, Michaela Bolton, a senior associate at TLT, remains committed to promoting accountability. Bolton’s journey from corporate law in South Africa to leading public inquiries in the UK reflects a deep commitment to justice, transparency, and the public good. As she sits down with Legal Cheek Careers to discuss her role at TLT at the nexus of the public and private sector, Bolton provides valuable insights for aspiring lawyers who are committed to making a societal impact through law.
Bolton’s interest in public law runs deep. As a South African, she grew up very aware of how the law can be used as a tool to serve political agendas, both pernicious and noble. “I’ve always been really interested in the law as a mechanism of holding government to account,” she recalls. ”It is fundamental to a democratic society that government decisions are fair, and when they aren’t, or where things go wrong, there is legal recourse available”.
Her passion for this area of law continued to develop when she pursued a master’s degree in the US, studying constitutional law and human rights. Describing this period, she notes, “A lot of my studies focused on government decision-making, from how decision-makers inform themselves about decisions at hand, how they take into account the interests of the people who are really affected by their decisions, and what happens when public decision-making goes wrong.” This foundation laid the groundwork for Bolton’s specialisation in public inquiries, a field she sees as critical in addressing systemic wrongs.
Since arriving in the UK six years ago, Bolton has worked on numerous public inquiries, including the high-profile Infected Blood Inquiry. This was her first role in the UK, and was formative. She travelled around the country taking statements for the Inquiry from people who had been infected with HIV and/or Hepatitis C after receiving blood from the national blood services. This experience confirmed for her that public law practice can be transformative for those who need it most. Working for the Infected Blood Inquiry revealed to Bolton, “a really impactful way of holding government to account and putting the people affected by systemic wrongs at the heart of addressing those wrongs.”
At TLT, Bolton plays an instrumental role in the firm’s Public Inquiries and Public Law team. The team’s practice is uniquely positioned at the crossover between the public and private spheres.
Since joining TLT, Bolton has worked on several high-profile cases, including the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry and the Covid-19 Inquiry. Her work involves either representing the inquiry itself or advising government departments as they navigate their involvement in a statutory inquiry. Until very recently, Bolton was seconded to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s legal team, working as an internal legal adviser. In the Covid-19 Inquiry, Michaela is involved in representing a government department, assisting them with providing information, statements, and evidence to the Inquiry.
Bolton notes that public inquiries have a distinct advantage in exposing systemic issues. “Inquiries are independent bodies that investigate not only specific government departments but also historical context, culture and broader societal impacts. Inquiries provide a fascinating mechanism for the law to meet the lived experiences of individuals,” she explains. The opportunity to be involved in this work is what drew her to TLT, one of the few private firms in the UK with a large and thriving public law practice dedicated to these vital investigations.
Bolton credits TLT’s progressive approach to public law for enabling her to thrive in this field. TLT has a dedicated public inquiries and public law team, now boasting over 150 members. Bolton views this as a remarkable achievement in such a short span — the team was established just three years ago and has rapidly gained significant recognition. “It’s rare to see a private firm with such a robust and diverse public law practice,” she notes, attributing this to TLT’s forward-thinking strategy.
TLT, she explains, has been deliberate about developing its public sector offerings, recognising the value of blending public and private sector insights. This strategic foresight, she feels, is part of what makes TLT a unique place to practise public law. Moreover, Bolton is quick to praise the broader firm’s inclusive culture, which supports diversity and fosters a genuinely collaborative environment. “TLT walks the walk on work-life balance, career progression, and accommodating people’s specific circumstances,” she says, underscoring the firm’s commitment to creating a supportive and adaptable workplace.
What do you enjoy about public inquiries work at TLT? I ask. For Bolton, the process of working on a public inquiry often feels like legal detective work.
This investigatory aspect of her work involves sifting through “reams of documents, WhatsApp messages, meeting notes,” and even relying on individuals’ recollections of events. Bolton likens it to assembling a complex puzzle where each piece contributes to a clearer picture of how decisions were made. Inquiries are unique in the legal world, she notes, in that the procedural rules governing them are relatively sparse, allowing for a more flexible, investigative approach that focuses on uncovering the truth rather than adhering strictly to procedural constraints. “There’s something powerful about this freedom to go where the evidence leads,” she says. “It’s less about the rules of law applied but about the integrity of the process, and how best to get to the bottom of what an inquiry has set out to investigate.”
Beyond the technical and investigatory aspects of her work, Bolton finds profound satisfaction in the social importance of public inquiries. For her, these investigations contribute to the kind of society she wants to live in—one where public decision-makers are held to account, and where affected individuals play a central role in uncovering and addressing systemic wrongs. “To work with people who have been through extremely challenging circumstances and to put them at the centre of a legal process is incredibly rewarding,” she shares.
Bolton’s commitment is evident not only in her legal approach but in her perspective on the broader mission of public law. It’s this blend of personal dedication and professional skill that she believes drives her to excel in a demanding field. “I want to live in a society where public bodies are answerable for their decisions,” she states simply.
Speaking to the next generation of lawyers, Bolton offers key advice. “Follow your interests,” she says emphatically. For students considering a career in public law, she suggests paying attention to news stories that resonate personally and intellectually. “If reading about a public inquiry in the news or listening to a podcast about criminal investigations makes you think, ‘now this is fascinating,’ then that’s a sign – follow it! The work is challenging and requires long hours, but if you find it engaging, it’s worth it.”
Bolton emphasises the importance of maintaining curiosity and adaptability throughout a legal career. “Our time in our careers is, for better or worse, long. Finding and following what motivates and inspires you is essential.” For her, this is a guiding principle, ensuring that she remains engaged and effective in a role that demands both rigour and resilience.
TLT will be speaking at ‘The Big Commercial Awareness Themes of 2024-25 — with DWF, Goodwin Procter, Irwin Mitchell, Lewis Silkin, Morrison Foerster, TLT and ULaw’, a virtual student event taking place on Tuesday 12 November. Apply now to attend.
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