Starting out as the personal secretary to the now-retired partner John Nutt, Mrs Abela diligently cemented a reputation in strong work ethic and was subsequently rewarded by her boss, who allowed her to bring her children into work when no caregiver was available.

“I learnt a lot working for John Nutt, he was a very knowledgeable person who let you delve into matters so that you could handle them,” Mrs Abela said.

“What was especially helpful to me at the time, was the fact that my boys were young, one was four and the other 18 months old, but I was able to change my work hours as my needs changed.

“John Nutt was so kind that he allowed to have the boys in here with me and they had their own little desk to do their own homework on. He was so supportive, which I am forever grateful for.”

The emphasis on the importance of family to the firm has continued, and current partner Lorraine White pointed towards the example of one of her brightest solicitors, Christina McPherson.

“That continues to this day,” she said.

“Christina is one of our solicitors and she doesn’t have childcare sorted out for Friday, so she has been bringing in the baby, and he’s gorgeous and gets a lot of attention.”

For her part, Judy shows no signs of slowing down, and she cites the intriguing nature of her work alongside the familial nature of the firm that she dubs her second home.

“I love working with people and they have allowed me to do that,” Mrs Abela said.