Meet the Team: Amy Shafto, In-House Legal Counsel for London's Guaranteed Rent Specialists

Meet the Team: Amy Shafto, In-House Legal Counsel

Amy Shafto is our In-House Legal Counsel and recently celebrated her one-year anniversary with Apex. To mark the milestone, we sat down with her to reflect on her journey into housing law, what the past year has taught her, and what she’s enjoyed most about life at Apex so far.

From Courtrooms to Contracts: Finding Purpose in Property

Amy always knew she wanted to pursue a legal career. “I was told I was good at arguing from a young age,” she laughs, “so after careful research into this option it just made sense.” By the age of 14, she’d already set her sights on law, drawn in at first by news articles and the courtroom drama of films and TV.

After volunteering with Citizens Advice as a Witness Volunteer, her perspective shifted. “That experience really opened my eyes to other options available to me within the legal industry - no one makes movies about housing lawyers,” she jokes, “but that’s where I found something that really interested me.”

Amy’s first legal role involved working on newbuild property sales, which sparked her interest in property law. From there, she continued to build her knowledge across various areas of the sector. “It felt like a natural fit. I’d grown up around landlord and tenant issues because of my family, and I was drawn to the complexity and unpredictability of litigation.”

Life as In-House Legal Counsel

No two days look the same for Amy. She might be dealing with legal claims one day, reviewing contracts the next, and working to resolve disputes before they escalate. “Some days are full of quick tasks, others involve more detailed, long-term work. It’s always changing, which keeps things interesting.”

One of the most common misconceptions about her role is that she has all the answers at her fingertips. “There’s definitely a sense that in-house legal teams are supposed to know everything about every area of law. In reality, I’m constantly having to research new topics and stay on my toes. You’re always learning.”

The pace at Apex has also brought its own learning curve. “The biggest adjustment has been the volume and speed of work. You’ve got to be flexible, ready to shift priorities when something new lands on your desk. But it’s also taught me to trust myself - I might not know everything straight away, but I’ve learned how to find the answers.”

It’s All About Perspective

One of the things Amy values most about working at Apex is the sense of collaboration. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with lots of different departments. We often sit down together to tackle a challenge, and that’s where the best solutions come from. You learn a lot by seeing the issue from someone else’s perspective.”

The people, she says, make all the difference. “There’s a real passion in the sector, and everyone brings that energy to their work. It makes it a great environment to be part of.”

Amy is clear on the standards that guide her. “I work in line with the SRA principles - honesty, integrity being critical to the role and making sure the right legal processes are followed”.

Balance Outside the Briefs

Outside of work, Amy prioritises her wellbeing. “Running and reformer Pilates help keep me balanced. A happy and healthy mind makes me more productive - it’s how I unwind and recharge.”

She’s also passionate about helping others break into the legal side of the property sector. “Don’t give up,” she says. “The legal industry is hard to break into, and training contracts are even tougher. But if you’re committed, you can get there. Do your research, understand your clients and their world, and be able to show your value. It’s not just about what you know, but how you communicate it.”

Her advice to anyone starting out? “Keep track of your wins, big and small, and what you’ve learned from them. It’s a great confidence boost when you need it and shows your progression over time.”

A View from the Top

If she could swap roles with anyone at Apex for a day, Amy knows exactly where she’d go. “I’d love to spend a day as someone in the executive team. It would be such a valuable insight into how big decisions are made - things like funding, operational direction, and future planning. It’d be fascinating to see how those conversations shape the company.”

Amy’s first year at Apex has been filled with learning, collaboration and a fair few legal curveballs - but it’s also made clear just how central her role is in supporting the wider mission. One year down, and she’s just getting started.

Looking for a new challenge?

At Apex, we’re always on the lookout for talented, driven people to join our growing team. If you’re passionate about making a difference in the housing sector and want to explore working at London's Guaranteed Rent specialists, visit our Careers page to explore our current vacancies.