What was your route into the profession?
I didn't have any family history in the profession, and the state school I attended in Lincoln wasn't geared up for sending kids to posh universities or into law. After A-Levels, I studied Management Systems at Hull University and then converted to law via the CPE (and then LPC) at the College of Law in York. I then secured a training contract at Bevan Ashford in Bristol (which later became Bevan Brittan).
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
My biggest career challenge was probably the first two years as a partner at DAC Beachcroft. I made partner at a relatively young age at my previous firm, primarily off the back of developing two of the largest clients at the firm at that time. I was probably running before I could walk, and I was fairly far down the learning curve (looking back on it now). When I was tempted to join DACB, upon handing in my notice, I was sent on gardening leave for six months.
Although I eventually clawed back my position with those key clients, gardening leave was a very effective break on my progress, and I underestimated what it would take to develop those key clients again and to build a practice in a new environment. DACB was very supportive indeed, but it was hard work—and I also had a team to support who had made the move with me. I felt very responsible for their success as well as my own, and it weighed heavily upon me during that period.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
It will make him blush—and risks looking like sucking up—but it is our ex-managing partner, David Pollitt. David originally persuaded me to join DACB 17 years ago. He has—quite simply—been the biggest single influence on my career. He was my boss in the commercial dispute resolution team, and when he went on to bigger things, I sought to model my own leadership of that team on what I saw in his leadership style.
I have then watched his leadership of DACB in admiration, and have tried to see which bits could rub off on me. His quiet authority, good humour, steely desire to always be fair and do the right thing, and, above all, his love of the firm and its people, are an inspiration.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
A few people in DACB know this answer already, but I would have likely been the Lincoln City Football Club mascot—dressed as the Lincoln Imp, running up and down the touchline and celebrating wildly every time we managed to win a corner (I would say goal, but those are rare).
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
Currently it is Elsbeth. If you don't watch the show, then you should. It is a spin-off series from The Good Wife. Elsbeth is a colourfully dressed lawyer who carries armfuls of tote bags and helps the NYPD with solving cases. The conceit is that the murderer is revealed at the start of each show—Elsbeth instinctively suspects them; and the remainder of the show is about how she catches them out.
What change would you make to the profession?
Hourly rate billing. We have been talking about this since the 90s, and still haven't been able to crack it.
How do you relax?
As mentioned above, beyond spending time with my family, I love watching Lincoln City (although I wouldn’t call it relaxing!), and watching cricket. I have infected my eldest daughter with my love of cricket, and that was perfect for me because it meant that I could support her and enjoy watching the game at the same time. My youngest daughter is a beautiful dancer, and I love to watch her perform.
If instead they had both become lawyers, then that would have been fine (my wife is a lawyer as well), but I'm not sure that we would have had as much to watch and enjoy.
Ben Daniels is a partner and location head of the Bristol office at DAC Beachcroft. He was recently elected as the firm’s next senior partner, effective 1 May 2026.
