The new Morecrofts' managing partner reveals her role models & professes a love of The Archers
Alison Lobb was appointed managing partner to Morecrofts Solicitors in March 2014.
What was your route into the profession?
Liverpool born and bred, I studied at The University of Essex before taking my LPC at The College of Law in Chester. Returning to my home city, I took my articles at EAD Solicitors and qualified into family law, however I ultimately decided that wasn’t the area for me.
I went to work at the Legal Aid Board as a caseworker and auditor, measuring firms against quality standards, assessing legal aid applications and training others to do the same. I planned to stay there as I enjoyed the job and had not thought of moving until I saw an advert for a job at Morecroft Urquhart (as it was) in 1999.
It was a firm I’d always liked and got to know through working at the Legal Aid Board, so I applied on a whim, just to see how I got on, and lo and behold got the job and joined the firm on 1 March 1999, becoming partner and head of litigation in 2005.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Six months after I arrived at Morecrofts, a colleague went on maternity leave and I inherited her caseload of about 30 child abuse compensation claims, all of which had a deadline for issue within a few months. Having to acquaint myself with those (very difficult) clients and get my head round their claims and the circumstances within a very short time was quite an achievement.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
Historically, Rose Heilbron must have been an incredible woman. An alumni of my school, she was the one of the first two female KCs and the first woman to lead a murder case. She was the first female recorder and the first female judge to sit at the Old Bailey. She was also apparently the first woman in Liverpool to wear a calf length evening dress!
Through my involvement with Liverpool Law Society I have also been fortunate to meet some present day legal role models, such as Lord Neuberger and Baroness Hale, both of whom are incredibly inspiring, but also very down to earth.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
Something involving the great outdoors. Although as a child I always planned to be a novelist, so maybe I could have been a travel journalist and ticked all the boxes!
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
It has to be Atticus Finch.
What change would you make to the profession?
As a personal injury lawyer, I hate to say it but I think certain elements of my own field have done the most harm to the reputation of our profession in recent years. If I had a magic wand, I would like to wipe the slate clean with the media and change the public perception of lawyers. Being classed as a “no-win, no-fee lawyer” has somehow become a derogatory expression. Unfortunately, the media perception of lawyers now makes it difficult for us to be taken seriously when we protest about the lack of access to justice, as everyone assumes we are just acting in our own “fat cat” interests. I would like to do something to bring back respect for lawyers as skilled and experienced professionals.
How do you relax?
I am a keen tennis player and chair of Mersey Bowmen tennis club in Sefton Park, Liverpool. I also swim regularly, having been represented GB at the European Catholic Student games in my youth, winning a silver medal.
My other hobbies include walking, skiing, wildlife, general knowledge and sport. I am also an avid reader and Archers addict.
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