This month’s Member Spotlight features Kelly Hardman WS. Kelly tells us about her role as a Director at Fragomen LLP where she leads the firm’s UK Energy Sector Group, as well as the UK Space Industry Group, and how becoming a WS was a deeply meaningful moment of connection to history, tradition, and legacy.
Read on to learn more.
1. What/who made you consider law as a career?
Growing up, I dreamed of becoming an air hostess, then a pilot—but unfortunately, maths, physics and I didn’t quite get along, despite my best efforts! However, I always had a fascination with criminology, inspired by CSI and Silent Witness, which sparked my curiosity about investigations and justice.
The turning point came during a work experience week at Laganside Courts in Belfast when I was about 17 years old. From the moment I stepped into the courtroom, I was hooked—the energy, the advocacy, and the impact of the law captivated me. When I discovered that Ulster University offered a Law with Criminology degree (with the opportunity to study overseas), it felt like everything had aligned perfectly…and the rest is history!
In a funny full-circle moment—while I never became a pilot, I now spend my days helping people cross borders and navigate their journeys through immigration law! And as a lead of Fragomen’s Space Sector Group, I even have my head in the stars from time to time! So, in a way, my childhood dreams of travel and adventure came true—just with a legal detour along the way!
2. You are responsible for coordinating and managing Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) immigration programmes on behalf of your firm’s largest clients. Tell us about your role and what a typical week looks like?
No two days are ever quite the same at Fragomen—which is exactly why I love what I do! As a Director, I manage immigration programs for clients across multiple sectors of all shapes and sizes, helping them navigate complex immigration and mobility challenges.
Mornings often begin with emails and calls given my work spans global time zones. A large part of my current role involves advisory and strategy meetings or catching up with my team to review time-sensitive immigration cases. Some days, I’m advising companies on workforce planning or contingency measures for global mobility which can include large scale offshore work strategy for energy sector clients, or campus management programs for the FS sector. On others, I’m supporting individuals through personal immigration issues which can vary from complex nationality and citizenship issues, to navigating those who’ve had a criminal past, to reuniting couples and families – this is often where I see first-hand the incredibly meaningful work that we do, especially given the Pro-Bono work I’m involved in.
Crisis management also plays a significant role—helping clients respond swiftly to sudden regulatory changes or unexpected challenges, which in the past five years have been much more commonplace given the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as geopolitical challenges we’ve seen in Ukraine and Russia as well as more recently in the Middle East. In addition, displacement caused by unforeseen events such as hurricanes, tsunamis etc. can all have a massive impact on people’s lives, which is where we often come in to assist with contingency planning, or ‘parking’ options. We also then have ‘newer’ challenges like the concept of remote work and an influx in digital nomads, not to mention the impact of AI and the interplay with immigration and digital borders – it is an incredibly fast-paced and interesting area which keeps me on my toes!
But my work isn’t just about solving problems; it’s also about supporting my team, mentoring colleagues, and identifying opportunities to grow our practice – this is where my work in our Energy and Space sectors allows me to attend some incredibly exciting meetings, conferences and make valuable connections, some of which are also part of the WS! Every day is a balance of precision, empathy, and leadership—and that’s what makes it so challenging, yet rewarding.
3. Career Highlights
One of my proudest career highlights was back in 2016—well before the remote working era we now take for granted. I put together a bold and innovative business plan to relocate from London to Scotland with a vision for long-term development and growth. At the time, remote working in law was practically unheard of, and I had to navigate hurdles to make it happen. It felt bold, brave and risky, but with the unwavering support of my firm’s leadership and my team, it became a reality. Looking back now, in a world where remote work is so commonplace, I do see myself as something of a visionary for embracing that change so early on.
Another incredibly proud milestone was becoming dual-qualified in Scotland in 2024. This was no small feat—I was balancing full-time work and full-time motherhood while self-teaching Scots law to sit the qualifying assessments. Anyone who’s been through that process knows how gruelling it is, which is why I was so incredibly proud to pass every exam on my first attempt. It was a real moment of triumph when my admission to the Scottish roll as a Solicitor and Notary was confirmed last summer, which also meant I could finally take the leap to applying for WS membership! It leaves one new goal (which I may regret later, but this in many ways holds me accountable) – to become qualified in my home country of N. Ireland – fingers crossed!
A particularly exciting and unexpected highlight came when I was personally approached after a Festival of Politics event at Holyrood in 2024 to join the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Space—yes, such a group does exist! It’s a fantastic testament to just how important the space sector is for Scotland and a real privilege to contribute my voice to those conversations.
And, of course, becoming a WS member! This was more than just a career milestone for me—it was a deeply meaningful moment of connection to history, tradition, and legacy, and one I will always remember (despite nearly missing the ceremony with Lady Elish thanks to the chaos of Edinburgh traffic and public transport!!!).
4. How did you first come to hear about the WS Society and what made you want to become a member?
I first visited the Signet Library for afternoon tea around Christmas time shortly after moving to Edinburgh and I was fascinated by its charm—but it was the warmth and generosity of the employees and other members that truly captivated me. The WS Society is a place where knowledge is shared, careers are nurtured, and friendships are forged. I am honoured to contribute to this community while upholding its values and helping to shape its future.
For me, joining the WS Society was about legacy, community, and connection. I deeply admire tradition and the history that the WS Society upholds—it’s more than a membership; it’s a symbol of excellence and service. But my connection to the Society is also deeply personal. The signet holds special meaning for me—my mother’s maiden name is King, and with it comes my desire to honour my family’s legacy while building my own as a Writer to His Majesty’s signet, as well as our future Kings and Queens. I want to show my daughter, and others, that leadership and legacy are within reach. Since joining the Society, I’ve also come to learn the ancient coat of arms for both my maiden surname and married surname carry symbolic crests; a red rose and a silver sword, which in historic terms would have been my family’s seals!
5. What would you say to any lawyer considering WS membership?
Do not hesitate! The WS Society offers so much more than a professional title—it offers a community. It’s a place where tradition meets opportunity, where you can grow, share knowledge, and be part of something truly meaningful. Beyond the prestige, it’s the warmth of the employees and members, the richness of the history, and the inspiration found within the Signet Library that make it special. Whether you’re seeking mentorship, connection, or a way to give back to the profession, the WS Society opens doors—not just for your career, but for your legacy.