R3’s class of 2025 – Magdalena Wegrzyn’s story
Magdalena Wegrzyn, now a Senior Associate at Isadore Goldman, began life in rural Poland and is now helping to build the firm’s cross-border insolvency practice in the UK. Her story is one of resilience, ambition and the difference a single opportunity can make. It’s also a reminder of how important it is to support others on their way up.
At the recent R3 Association of Business Recovery Professionals Conference in Malta, Magdalena stood in front of more than 300 professionals to share her personal journey. It was a heartfelt and honest account of the challenges she faced and the individuals who led her to get where she is today.
Magdalena’s story
Magdalena grew up in a small village in southeastern Poland. Her mother, a single parent raising five children, worked long shifts in a factory to keep the family afloat. With their mum at work, Magdalena and her older brother took care of their younger sibling - whom was just seven at the time.
Life was not always easy, but Magdalena and her brother took comfort and inspiration from watching their favourite TV programmes. For Magdalena, the Ally McBeal series lit a spark. She saw in Ally the kind of person she wanted to be – not just a lawyer, but one who was on a mission to help people and really make a difference.
A new start in the UK
Looking for better opportunities, Magdalena moved to England at age of 18, and took a job as a waitress in Godalming, Surrey. It was a bold move considering she hardly spoke any English, but she was determined to learn. She then moved to London searching for better opportunities and worked early morning shifts at Heathrow Airport, waking up at 3 or 4am to start work at 5am.
Whilst working full time, she visited a careers advisor who explained that to become a solicitor, she’d need to restart her education in the UK from scratch. So, at age 24, she began studying for her GCSEs, followed by A-levels, a law degree and then the Legal Practice Course – achieving distinctions throughout, all while holding down her full time job at Heathrow. Magdalena showed how determined she was to succeed – she did not take a single day off in three years – she worked and studied day and night so that she could fulfil her dream of becoming a lawyer.
But for Magdalena the hardest part was yet to come – and that was looking for a training contract. There was always someone more qualified or with better English language skills. All she needed was for someone to give her a chance. The next step came about through a series of introductions. A friend put her in touch with a partner at an accountancy firm, who then introduced her to Nick Oliver, a senior partner at Isadore Goldman. Nick saw her drive and potential, gave her a chance when many hadn’t, and offered her a role as a legal assistant in the newly opened Portsmouth office– the chance she had worked so hard for.
Magdalena’s role at Isadore Goldman
Nearly six years on, Magdalena is now a Senior Associate. She has taken the lead in developing the firm’s international cross-border insolvency practice and is known for combining legal expertise with empathy and commercial awareness. She loves the varied nature of the work -one day she’ll be pursuing directors for breach of duties and the next she is issuing a £1billion claim against a big financial entity. International travel and meeting inspiring people are also part of the job - she describes this time of her life as her “Ally McBeal era”.
Her work reflects not just her own dedication, but the culture at Isadore Goldman – one that values talent, supports growth, and believes in giving people a chance.
R3’s Class of 2025
Magdalena was selected as part of R3’s ‘Class of 2025’, recognising her growing contribution to the profession. Her speech in Malta focused not just on her personal story, but also on the importance of giving others the chance to succeed.
As Magdalena said in her presentation “It’s not what we do, it’s the why that matters.” Her "why" has always been to help people and to be a voice for those who might not have one. She is committed to paying forward the opportunity she was given and encourages others in the profession to do the same.
Nelson Mandela once said: “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” Magdalena’s story shows exactly what that looks like in practice.
You can also view the video of Magdalena's presentation by clicking here.