Member Spotlight: Monica Kapur

15 August 2025

Monica is solicitor and director at Isadore Goldman with 18 years’ experience advising mainly insolvency practitioners on contentious matters. In this Q&A, Monica reflects on her early career challenges, the impact of mentorship on her own career, and why she is now giving back through R3’s Mentoring Programme.

What made you pursue a career in insolvency?

I started my career in the traditional way by completing my law degree followed by the LPC. My first experience of insolvency came towards the end of my training contract, where I found myself really drawn to it. I realised that insolvency brings together so many different areas of law, while also being technical. No two days are the same, and I’m constantly learning. There’s also a real social aspect to this specialism which I hadn’t appreciated until I qualified into it. Networking is a huge part of the job, and that suits me as I love meeting people.

How has a mentor supported your development?

I struggled to secure a training contract during my degree and LPC, which was really disheartening, especially without family connections in the profession and limited access to work experience. When the University of Law in Birmingham launched a mentoring scheme for students from ethnic minority backgrounds, I signed up straightaway. My mentor was a practising solicitor, and having access to her was a game-changer. She offered me practical advice in relation to my CV and what firms look at when recruiting.  She was also there to encourage me when I felt like giving up. I credit a lot of my early success to her support, and she’s still a good friend today!

What made you join R3’s Mentoring Programme?

Because I struggled at the beginning of my career, I’ve always made a point of mentoring others where I can. I lectured around my day job and informally mentored quite a few students, one of which is now working in insolvency because she found hearing about my experiences so interesting. That’s really rewarding, knowing you’ve had a part in shaping someone’s journey.

I was keen to join R3’s programme because I know how much of a difference a mentor made to me, and if I can do the same for someone else, then that’s time well spent. I’m excited to be part of something that’s designed to give people that leg up and to share what I’ve learned over the last two decades.

What do you hope to offer your mentees?

I hope to offer my mentees confidence, guidance and a sense of support as they begin their careers. But I’d also like to help them build their soft skills, particularly around networking and marketing. These were areas I struggled with at the start of my career, and I know that many junior professionals, especially those who studied or trained during the pandemic, find these skills daunting. I want to share what I’ve learned about building a profile, becoming more confident in professional settings, and how to talk about your work in a positive way – which can feel uncomfortable at first but is essential for development.

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a mentor?

If you’re thinking about becoming a mentor, know that you can make a real difference to someone’s career. But it’s worth remembering that it takes courage for mentees to sign up to something like this, so it’s important to take the commitment seriously and be present. I would also say that most impactful mentoring relationships are built on openness and honesty. Sharing the setbacks you’ve faced and how you worked through them can be more helpful than listing your achievements. Mentees often just need to hear that challenges are normal, and that with determination and the right support, you can get through them.

You have been a member of the R3 Smaller Practices Group (SPG) committee and the Midlands regional committee since early 2024. What can you tell us about the work of these committees and why they are important to you?

Being part of the SPG and the R3 Midlands regional committee has been incredibly rewarding. The SPG provides a forum to champion the voice of smaller firms, ensuring both their challenges and contributions are recognised within the wider insolvency and restructuring profession.

Being Birmingham born and bred, the Midlands Committee helps foster strong regional collaboration, creating a supportive network where professionals can share insights and build lasting connections. I value the opportunity to drive practical change through both committees - whether by shaping guidance, improving access to resources, or influencing training programmes. The experience has also enriched my own professional growth, expanded my network and exposed me to diverse perspectives. Above all, it’s a meaningful way to give back to the profession, supporting peers and helping to shape its future.

How do you hope to see the profession evolve in the years ahead?

I hope to see the profession particularly insolvency become more diverse and inclusive. It’s encouraging to see more women entering the insolvency profession and succeeding, but there’s still a perception that it’s male-dominated. I’d also like to see better representation from ethnic minority communities – I don’t see many people from the same background as mine, and I think that imbalance needs to be addressed. I’ve had a really positive experience with R3, and I’d love to see more people from underrepresented backgrounds getting involved in committees and networks. We need more targeted encouragement, mentoring, and visibility of diverse role models to show that this is a rewarding and welcoming profession.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would tell myself to take better care of my wellbeing, both physically and mentally. When I started out, there wasn’t much open discussion about work-life balance but looking back, I can see how important it is to prioritise your health, even when work is busy - and it will always be busy. The other thing I’d say is don’t worry so much. Everyone faces challenges, but if you’ve got the drive, you’ll find your way through. You’re capable of far more than you think!