The new director of client law firms at The University of Law reveals his legal inspiration & his plans for his new role
Currently a consultant partner at Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), David Barnes was a leading corporate partner at Linklaters for over 25 years, spending 10 years helping to establish Linklaters in Hong Kong and playing a major role in the development of Linklaters in Asia. In his new appointment at the University of Law, David will be working to bridge the worlds of practice and academia—to ensure that the University’s graduates have the right blend of knowledge and skills to succeed in the profession.
What was your route into the profession?
In 1970, I did six months in the back office of a City stockbrokers, followed by a law degree at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. I really enjoyed working in London, being at the heart of the legal hub and decided to combine my enjoyment of the City with my law degree by applying for articles with City law firms. Back then, it wasn’t as popular a choice as it is now.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Keeping up with changes in the law. As any practising lawyer knows, the volume of new legislation and regulation has increased exponentially over recent years, making it increasingly difficult for lawyers to keep abreast of developments. In my practice area, the Companies Act 2006 was the longest statute in English legal history.
As the newly appointed director of client firms at The University of Law, I look forward to my next career challenge, where I will be sitting on the other side of the fence. We will be working to help develop the talent at the University and to further enhance the relationships we enjoy with major law firms and our first-class training offering to the legal industry.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
As an associate I worked with a number of partners both at Linklaters and other firms who, in addition to being good corporate/M&A lawyers, had the ability to plan ahead and take a step back to view the bigger picture which I found inspiring. I also learned from some of them how to get an opposing point of view across without causing major drama, a useful skill.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I had originally intended to become an investment banker, or merchant banker as they were called then. I was advised to become a lawyer first, and then apply to banks a couple of years after qualifying. A couple of years after I qualified, Linklaters were looking for associates to go to Hong Kong, where I spent 10 years rather than the initial two, and I found the work and culture so engrossing that I remained a lawyer and haven’t looked back since.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
It has to be Perry Mason, as I grew up watching him on Sunday evening TV. His ability to establish innocence or prove guilt in the most unlikely cases was very compelling, even if looking back several decades later, the circumstances were sometimes pretty far fetched.
What change would you make to the profession?
I never thought that, at this stage of my career, we would still have two branches of the legal profession, a cause of much mystification to non-lawyers and most non UK lawyers. While the legal profession in the UK is (rightly) much admired and has prospered in recent years, I wonder if the split is really sustainable or desirable in the long run.
How do you relax?
Walking in the Kent countryside on a Sunday afternoon is my favourite way to relax. I also enjoy skiing and have a love of classic cars.
