MLP Law's managing partner reveals that the snowboarding world's loss is the legal profession's gain
Stephen Attree is managing partner of leading commercial and private client law firm, MLP Law. The firm is on for a record year, after recently reporting a 15% year on year revenue uplift during the first quarter of 2015, alongside an influx of new client wins. To support growth, MLP Law is currently recruiting for senior members of staff in three of its key divisions; wills and probate, corporate and commercial and property.
What was your route into the profession?
I chose a law degree. Not based on any desire at that age to pursue a career in law, more because it seemed interesting. Up until that point I was strong on science, maths and computing. Sadly my perception at that time was that computing was nerdy—how wrong I was! I took a job on a foreign exchange trading floor for a high street bank before deciding that, actually, law was a career I wanted to pursue. I then set off on my Legal Practice Course and haven’t looked back.
Interesting curveball—I very nearly pursued a career as a snowboarder!
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Consistently exceeding clients’ expectations, while looking to evolve the way in which services are delivered in an ever-changing market place. I took over responsibility for MLP Law a year ago now, and shaping its strategy and implementing change has been an interesting challenge. In fact, it has been one of the most rewarding 12 months of my career so far.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
There are a couple that stand out:
- Michael Mansfield—as a man at the top of his game and profession in his chosen specialism.
- Each trainee I mentor—for their appetite for learning, and showing me the never ending opportunities that this great profession has to offer.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I would probably be a nurse. I believe that your life is judged not by what you take, but by what you give. I’m fascinated by the medical profession and how there are analogies to the legal profession. Sadly, doctors can have the technical knowledge but lack the structures and training to enable them to impart their knowledge in a patient-friendly way. That’s left to the nurses. In that sense, there are a lot of similarities with the legal profession.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
Ally McBeal—so much drama and so little actual work done. If only!
What change would you make to the profession?
I don’t advocate change for change sake. I would ensure we were all proud to be solicitors and inform people of the great benefits to using a trusted adviser. Too often we accept the perception that our role is transactional or commoditised. Executed properly, with the client at the centre of everything you do, it is far from a commodity and we should be proud to say so.
How do you relax?
With my family of two young-ish children, which makes sure my feet are permanently on the ground. I also enjoy hill walking and running—in fact, I recently completed the Greater Manchester Marathon, in aid of the Alex Hulme Foundation and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.
Nominations for the Halsbury Legal Awards 2015, in association with NLJ, are now open. Visit the site to view all the categories and enter online. #Halsbury2015
