Associate Gemma Tracey (née Wylie) has been with Latitude Law for 12 years. Here, we find out more about the work she most enjoys, what a typical day at the firm looks like, and which Manchester City footballer she named her cat after.
Hi Gemma. What type of work do you do at Latitude?
All inbound immigration – I help advise and support individuals, companies, charity organisations and religious orders and organisations.
What do you enjoy most about the work you do?
I enjoy working with and supporting people and I find the work really rewarding – seeing a family reunited or enabling a business to bring in the international talent that it really needs, is extremely rewarding.
What questions are you frequently asked by clients?
This is a tricky one because I advise lots of different individuals and organisations in relation to different aspects of complex UK immigration law. Immigration policy is ever-changing and being interpreted and there are so many different aspects to the rules. Each case is so personal to the organisation or individual client.
I work a lot with religious organisations for example, and one area that clients are keen to understand is what their international workers can do in the UK. For example, what can Tier 2 Ministers of Religion or Tier 5 religious workers do? In these areas, I’m also often asked whether the role identified would need to be advertised to the local labour market (there are a lot of exemptions that apply to religious workers).
If you weren’t practicing law what would you be doing?
I’ve always been fascinated by planes and when I was younger I wanted to be an air hostess! Although I no longer have dreams of being an air hostess, I still love planes and have a passion for travel.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Never stop learning and growing as a person – it’s advice that I’ve picked up throughout life from a number of experiences and people.
What is a typical day in the office like?
No one day is the same at Latitude. There are always different clients with different objectives, needs or circumstances that are impacted by a different facet of immigration law.
The office always has a good atmosphere, and our clients really appreciate what we do for them. Throughout the year we’ll frequently receive messages and thank-you gifts including homecooked treats from clients we’ve helped!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I’m an early riser and I get to the gym at 6am three times a week. Outside of that I enjoy relaxing with my new husband (we got married last year) and our cat – who’s named Sergio, after Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero of course!
As you may have already guessed I’m a Manchester City fan and a season ticket holder so when I’m not working, you’ll find me and my husband at home games cheering on the Blues!
The specialist immigration solicitors at Latitude Law are here to assist you with any UK citizenship or visa enquiry. Call us on 0161 234 6800 or contact us online now.