An interview with Monidipa Fouzder
The word ‘journey’ comes up several times in my chat with criminal defence solicitor Cecilia Goodwin. Goodwin’s journey has led her from qualifying 17 years ago to setting up her own firm, Goodwin & Rose, with offices in Manchester and London. ‘Journey’ also goes to the essence of Goodwin’s approach as a lawyer.
Asked what motivated her to set up her practice, Goodwin says she previously co-founded another firm but it didn’t work out. ‘It made me realise this is what I needed to do – be able to create something that made sense to me. I realised I had a clear vision of what I envisaged a firm should be, could be and what I wanted it to be.’
Goodwin has known some of her clients for years. ‘What I enjoy about what I do is working with someone and going on a journey with them.
‘I might have a young kid from London, representing them on a serious charge. What I need to do is not just look at the person in front of me, the young kid in front of me, but understand them and where they could and should be. Once I have done that, my main thing is to do what I can as a lawyer.’
However, ‘what I found with traditional methods [is that] the law does not take into account the nuances of the individual or their journey, where that person is coming from. It certainly does not take into account where they are going’.
She then mentions one of her clients, UK drill rapper Digga D, with whom she appeared in a 2023 BBC documentary. The rapper had been jailed for violent disorder and the film followed his journey after he was released.
Goodwin says: ‘His lifestyle was quite chaotic at the time; he was a young boy coming from a background of hardships. I realised he loved music. He had a passion for music and what he did.’
Goodwin wanted to help Digga D with his journey – not just in court, but also after.
'Why is a certain type of music criminalised and other types celebrated? Using music that has nothing to do with the offence or circumstances – that’s clearly wrong'
‘When I started working with Digga D, he was 18, 19. He already had management [who] contacted me. During the journey of his court case, I had spoken to them, his mum and dad, auntie, uncle, everyone. You get to know this person and their whole world more intimately. When we finished the case, his mum and dad asked, “What happens now?”.’
Goodwin was asked to stay on, partly because Digga D was subject to a 2018 criminal behaviour order and licence conditions. Instead of moving on to the next client, she wanted to ensure he did not breach his conditions.
In the documentary, Goodwin explains to Digga D the terms of his order. He must notify probation and police within 24 hours of any new audio or visual material being uploaded in which he knowingly appears. Before he releases any music, Goodwin will go through the music with the police to ensure it is not breaching any conditions.
I ask Goodwin about another important aspect of her legal career – being a director of Art Not Evidence, a campaign group seeking to prevent rap lyrics and music videos being used as evidence in criminal trials.
Goodwin points out that violence can be found everywhere, even in rock and roll music. ‘Why is a certain type of music criminalised and other types of music celebrated? Using music that has nothing to do with the offence or circumstances – that’s clearly wrong. We say there are other ways you [the prosecution] can present your case.’
Cecilia says she hopes her story will inspire ‘little Cecilias’. She gives talks to schools. ‘Representation matters. If you do not see it, you do not believe it can happen.’ We talk about the importance of visible role models. Goodwin will certainly be one.
Cecilia Goodwin is founder and managing director at Goodwin & Rose, Manchester and London
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