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From the stage to the Bar with thanks to Robin Hood, Professor Ian Smith & The Darkness. Dan Hobbs shares his career highlights
What was your route into the profession?
I was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk and attended a state comprehensive school where I took both my GCSE and A’ Level examinations. I then went to Bretton Hall College of Drama in Wakefield where I studied theatre for 1 year before dropping out to start a law degree at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich. Whilst there, I developed an interest in industrial law under the guiding hand of Professor Ian Smith the editor of Harvey’s Employment Law Bulletin. After university I went to Bar school at the Inns of Court School of Law in Holborn before undertaking a predominantly employment law pupillage at Temple Chambers. 10 years later, I moved to 13 King’s Bench Walk where I headed up the employment team along with Clare Harrington (now a full-time judge). I moved to the exceptional and brilliant 5 Essex Court about 7 years ago and hope to stay here for the remainder of my career.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
There have been too many individual challenges along the way to single out any particular case or career obstacle that I have had to overcome. All I can say is that if you keep rolling with the blows you can make a difference to people’s lives when they are most in need of your help. That has delivered real career satisfaction over the last 20 odd years.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
My dad. He left school at s 16 but by 21 had qualified as a solicitor and by 27 had set up his own high street practice in Lowestoft. He once described to me his ‘Robin Hood’ approach to representing clients in that he charged his normal fees to corporate clients but agreed much lower fees with individuals who needed representation but couldn’t really afford it. He thought that everyone deserved quality legal representation and I agree.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I would be a rock drummer. I spent my teenage years and early twenties playing in heavy rock bands in pubs and clubs in East Anglia and beyond. For two years, I played drums in a band with Justin Hawkins who went on to become the singer of The Darkness and had a number one album with Permission to Land. They are Lowestoft’s most famous rock export and I wish I had got the chance to play on the main stage at Glastonbury with them!
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
Saul Goodman. He is the fictional lawyer in the TV series Breaking Bad and has his own spin off series called Better Call Saul. There is absolutely nothing to admire about him as a lawyer. He has no ethical values, no particular legal expertise and absolutely no moral compass. Because of that he makes for hilarious viewing!
What change would you make to the profession?
I am passionate about the Bar providing opportunities to groups of young people who are presently under represented in the profession. Whether that be aspiring lawyers from BAME backgrounds or from poor backgrounds I, like so many of my colleagues, would like to see some more levelling up of the legal profession so that our great and diverse nation is reflected in the barristers of tomorrow.
How do you relax?
I still play the drums for fun and I have a 40-year-old Italian Vespa that constantly needs repairing. I am a fair-weather motorbike rider these days but I used to commute on my Vespa every day into the Temple from East London.
Alan Payne QC, John-Paul Waite and Dan Hobbs all of 5 Essex Court have recently published the Sixth Edition of The Employment Tribunals Handbook, with Bloomsbury Professional
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