Browne Jacobson's managing partner reveals his legal & musical inspirations
Browne Jacobson’s managing partner Iain Blatherwick has been unanimously re-appointed for a further three years by the firm’s 96-strong partnership, as of 1 May 2015.
What was your route into the profession?
My grandfather, father and brother were all solicitors in the same practice in Newark, so I was determined to do something different…I did maths and sciences at A-Level and was considering engineering, but my dad’s firm became involved in the litigation around the miners’ strike and all of a sudden the law seemed a lot more exciting. The fact that it usually took me half an hour to wire a plug also suggested a practical life was maybe not for me!
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Becoming managing partner of a law firm in 2009 has to be up there.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
There isn’t a single person. Looking back to the early part of my career, I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support of John Young at Eversheds, who I was articled (yes, it was that long ago) to. I was a bit lazy, but John took such satisfaction in spotting mistakes that I acquired a determination to get things right (If you’ve seen Whiplash this was the legal equivalent!). I then followed a corporate partner, Peter Hands, from Eversheds to Browne Jacobson and learned a huge amount about client service and project management.
It know it sounds a bit obvious, but I am surrounded by great people at Browne Jacobson and, while they have their moments, it is our collective passion about the business which drives us all on.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I always wanted to run a record shop. With vinyl making a comeback, maybe there is again a chance…When Rough Trade recently opened in Nottingham, I could have been tempted into a career change!
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
To be honest, reading fiction is to escape from work—so not too many books about the law. The last book I loved was Us by David Nicholls, although I do worry I am becoming a bit like the father in it. Read it and find out what I mean.
What change would you make to the profession?
I think one of the challenges is trying to consider us as one profession. The challenges we face as a firm are nothing like the ones faced by high street or legal aid firms, and at the other extreme by the international firms.
How do you relax?
Time with my wife, Jo and five children (from 19 down to 3—Georgia, Alec, Emmie, Dougie and Elsie) which is enough to take my mind off work when I get home. Music—live or recorded and usually involving fairly tuneless guitars—currently loving the Go-Betweens box set, and last but not least the ups and downs of Norwich City (who are on their fifth manager since I became managing partner and they still haven’t looked at my cv).
