M&S PROFILE: Dr Christopher Hayes

Dr Christopher Hayes recently joined the partnership of Lewis Silkin LLP.

What was your route into the profession?

My route into the profession was slightly circuitous. I initially studied science at University, obtaining a DPhil in molecular genetics and from there worked as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. A very small part of my job involved assessing the scientific credentials of approaches from small companies or academics for new drug targets or scientific tools. During this time I began to work closely with the company’s legal teams and got more interested in the work they were doing. I eventually came to the conclusion that the legal side of science was what I wanted to be become involved in and decided to retrain as a lawyer focusing on intellectual property and technology law.

What has been your biggest career challenge so far?

Deciding to leave a successful and relatively well-paid career, to go back to study and then start at the bottom of the ladder was an extremely difficult decision to make, especially with a young family and the demands and costs that go with that. For me personally, actually making the decision to retrain, and the implications of that for my family has been the biggest challenge I have faced so far. I could think of so many reasons not to do it, but my wife, whose advice I trust more than anyone’s, convinced me to go for it.  

Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?

I have been really fortunate to work with a number of great lawyers across a range of jurisdictions, all of whom I have taken something from and tried to incorporate and emulate into my own practice. I have in my mind an ideal lawyer who is actually a chimera of different people. If I had to choose one person, I would say I was constantly impressed by Perter Armenio, of Quinn Emmanuel Sullivan and Urquhart in New York – he was meticulous in his preparation and a superb advocate, but he had a fantastic ability to put clients at their ease no matter how much was at stake.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?

I suppose the easy answer is a scientist! I love getting to grips with new technical challenges and communicating complex ideas simply to with people, so maybe marketing or PR might appeal to me. Failing that, almost anything within walking distance of a great sandy (and sunny) beach!

Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?

For me, my favourite has to be Saul Goodman, from Breaking Bad. Although Saul was almost the antithesis of what we would recognise as a lawyer, with a host of undesirable characteristics, the writers created a compelling and really engaging character, despite all of his flaws and wanton criminality.

What change would you make to the profession?

As a litigator I would really like to see training in alternative dispute resolution techniques become prevalent and I think that all new lawyers should receive ADR training. I think that this would increase the number of cases settling earlier. Whilst this sentiment is nothing new, I don’t think that we will create a real paradigm shift unless we incorporate substantive ADR into legal training from the start of one’s professional career.

How do you relax?

I enjoy watching rugby and football and still occasionally (try and) play rugby for a local club. I enjoy immersing myself in a good whodunit but with three young children most of my free time is spent huddled on a touchline somewhere talking to other parents or rushing to drop off or pick up my daughters from that day’s activity.