The new chair of the Law Society Housing Law Committee reveals her involvement in shaping legislation
Jane Plant, an associate in CDR property litigation at Weightmans LLP, has recently been appointed chair of the Law Society Housing Law Committee.
What was your route into the profession?
I read law at the University of Birmingham and then stayed for another year to do the Legal Practice Course. I secured a training contact at Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP in Birmingham spending most of that time working with housing association clients. I qualified into the housing management/litigation team and worked on a number of high profile cases such as KHT v McMullen (on the issue of disability discrimination). I moved to Weightmans LLP in May 2011 to assist in their expansion into the midlands and southern regions. I am now 11 years qualified.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on the impact of the Anti Social Behaviour Proposals. It was a challenge because I didn’t agree with all of the proposals and it wasn’t what they wanted to hear. However, it was an exciting opportunity to be involved in shaping legislation which is of key importance to my clients. I had far more success with my recommendations in the House of Lords where the paper I drafted was cited in support of the retention of the “nuisance and annoyance” test in the new anti social behaviour injunction. As a result of this work, I have been asked to advise the Home Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government on similar issues.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
Lord Denning. If I become a judge, I want my judgments to be as entertaining to law students in years to come as his were to me.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I would be a running coach. I am a qualified endurance coach with City of Birmingham Striders and help runners in my spare time but would love to do it as a career with both top athletes (Mo Farah!) and beginners. Helping someone start out as a runner and seeing them improve is really rewarding.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
I should say Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird but I would have to say Perry Mason; I loved watching those programs as a child!
What change would you make to the profession?
Law firms tend to be traditional in their approach and slow to keep up with practices employed by other professions to be efficient and accessible. I would like to see flexible working being accepted within the workplace. There is an expectation generally that solicitors should “put in the hours” in the office but often can be more efficient working flexibly which would be attractive to many who have other responsibilities to juggle. Also, I would suggest continuing the move away from fee estimates based on hourly rates. Consumers have increased buying power due to the recession and want certainty as to the price they will pay for a service. Hourly rates are an outdated method of charging clients for work done.
How do you relax?
I try to be healthy by training and taking part in various road running races and doing ashtanga yoga but sometimes a glass of wine with friends is a better option.
