Derek discusses the challenges of a managing partner
Derek Rodgers is the managing partner of Gardner Leader solicitors
What was your route into the profession?
I studied Scots Law at the University of Aberdeen but then decided to move south for family reasons so "converted" by undertaking the Common Professional Examination (now the GDL) and Law Society Finals (now the LPC) at Leeds Polytechnic (now Leeds Beckett University). I did work experience at Freeman Johnson in Darlington which turned into a training contract.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
My transition from solicitor to managing partner. I became managing partner at Gardner Leader in 2011, in the aftermath of one of the worst global financial crises. I am the first person to do that role full-time at the firm rather than combining it with fee earning so an early challenge was to give the partners confidence that this was the way to go if we were to continue to grow. Understandably, many firms were opting for financial restraint and caution but we felt that investing in ways to build and strengthen the firm further was important if the business was to thrive during slower economic growth, and that's exactly what we did. In November 2013, Gardner Leader acquired the probate, conveyancing and litigation teams of Newbury law firm, Charles Hoile, and in October 2014 we acquired Heath Buckeridge in Maidenhead, the first mergers or acquisitions which the firm had ever done. We now have three offices across Berkshire, employing more than 100 staff, and our turnover has grown by 80% since 2012.
As we continue to grow our challenge now is to ensure that we maintain our close-knit team culture so that we always deliver on our values of bringing peace of mind to clients and enjoying what we do.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
It has to be my good friend and colleague, Chris Felton. Chris is a partner in the dispute resolution team at Gardner Leader who I've known for over 20 years, ever since he was a trainee and I was a newly qualified solicitor, working together for Freeman Johnson in County Durham. Chris was described in The Legal 500 UK as "a match for any Magic Circle litigator", and I truly have never met anyone more committed to getting the best possible outcome for their clients as Chris. As a result he now undertakes a quality of litigation here that many larger firms would envy.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I am a reasonably good amateur photographer and love capturing shots of architecture and nature, so probably something in that line.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
Rumpole of the Bailey—the John Mortimer books and the TV series were probably my first introduction to a fictional lawyer and I still love the wit and humour. I'm sure it had some influence on my decision to go into law!
What change would you make to the profession?
To reverse the long term trend to limit access to civil legal aid in England and Wales. It's left many unable to afford the representation they need and led to an increase in "litigants in person," which can slow down the court system.
How do you relax?
Most mornings before work I go to the gym which gets me kick-started for the day. In my spare time I enjoy good food, visiting art exhibitions and travelling, mainly around Europe and North America.
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