The Harrison Clark Rickerbys senior partner describes his move from criminal to family law & ponders life on the ocean wave
Family lawyer Jonathan Brew, senior partner at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, has recently received a fellowship from the University of Worcester.
What was your route in to the profession?
In the final year of my A-levels, I had no idea what I wanted to do. My father suggested that I take a law degree as it had the potential to open many doors. I started a business law degree course at Coventry University and three months into the course made the decision that I wanted to be a lawyer. I completed my training contract with a firm in Manchester, then known as Howards (which eventually became Pannone & Co), moving to Walker Smith & Way in Chester upon qualification in October 1980. I moved to Harrison Clark Solicitors in Worcester (now Harrison Clark Rickerbys following merger), becoming a salaried partner in December of that year and then equity partner two years later. I was appointed to the role of senior partner in April 2003.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
I was appointed by Harrison Clark Solicitors (as it was then) in June 1983 to take over and expand a criminal law practice. Three months into that role, it quickly became apparent that with five experienced and worthy criminal law practitioners in Worcester, it was going to be difficult to secure a reasonable slice of that cake.
It was then that I decided to change course and proposed to the partners that I in fact set up a dedicated family law practice. I am grateful for them having placed their trust in me and with no other firm outside Central Birmingham at that time having a dedicated family law department, I set about creating one at the firm.
It involved a great deal of having to retrain myself and many late and sleepless nights with a fair degree of stress, as I converted from a trained personal injury and criminal law solicitor to a dedicated family law practitioner. It has paid off because Harrison Clark Rickerbys now has one of the largest family law departments in the country.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
I was greatly inspired by Tony Clark, the senior partner of Harrison Clark, who was instrumental in appointing me to the firm in the summer of 1983. His wise counsel has stayed with me since—he advised me to put costs and billing targets to one side and completely dedicate myself to the client and their case. His words continue to ring true: “Look after the client and everything else will look after itself.”
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternative career?
A rich playboy sitting on a multimillion-pound yacht would be a pretty good second choice, but in reality, as I love the sea, travel and naval history, a captain of a ship in the Royal Navy.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
I would have to say Rumpole of the Bailey, a gentleman lawyer with all the quirks.
What change would you make to the profession?
Family law has drastically changed in the last 10 years, but from a negative point of view it has seen the weaker members of society left unprotected and often without access to good quality independent legal advice, following the demise of legal aid. I would like to see provision re-established to enable the more vulnerable party in family law proceedings having equal strength when it comes to legal representation.
How do you relax?
Having many friends with different interests that I can share with them is a real tonic, but most of all, the time I spend with my wife Anne and my son Edward are the most precious.
