The new president of FOIL salutes his charismatic colleagues
Nigel Teasdale is the newly-elected president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL) and partner and head of motor, fraud and costs teams at DWF.
What was your route into the profession?
I followed a traditional route, studying Law at University College London before going on to the College Of Law at Chester for the LPC. I then was fortunate enough to obtain a training contract at Ricksons, a niche insurance practice at the time, in their Manchester office.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
I would probably go with the time I gave evidence on behalf of FOIL to the Transport Select Committee which was more nerve-wracking than dealing with any of the cases I have had.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
I have been lucky to work with some very charismatic colleagues during my time in the law, some of whom I still work with now. I wouldn’t like to embarrass them by naming them (or give them unnecessary credit given the stick they have also given me over the years!) but I have taken a little bit from all of them and I would like to think they know who they are.
Ultimately however I would have to say my father. Despite being a defendant insurance litigator all his working life I have never found anyone who has had a bad word to say about him on either side of the profession. He was hugely respected and if I can emulate him to any degree I will be very proud of myself.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I would choose football, however sadly football wouldn’t choose me.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
As a trainee solicitor I was a big fan of This Life which turned out to be remarkably similar to real life. I was a big fan of Anna and Miles’ love-hate relationship, so if I could be anyone it would be Miles.
What change would you make to the profession?
Ironically with the pace of technology I think a lot of change is around the corner!
I do think I have come into the law at a time when the legal profession has lost some of the trust and respect it had and I would love to see that return
How do you relax?
By drinking a fine red wine, or if I’ve had a particularly challenging day, any red wine…
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