What was your route into the profession?
I attended law school in Australia in the 1990s, two-year articles at a large Brisbane firm (McCullough Robertson) and, following a further two years as a solicitor, I was recruited to join White and Case in London in 2002. I requalified in England and Wales shortly thereafter and subsequently gained Higher Rights (Civil and Crime).
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Building a global disputes practice that is sustainable and based on long-term relationships, successful outcomes and personal trust. This often leaves you extremely time-poor, and jet-lagged. There have definitely been long periods of my career where I have had little work-life balance, although for the most part I have very much enjoyed the journey and still do.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
Rather than a specific individual, I will say members of the senior judiciary. I say that because leading silks walk away from earning vast incomes at the independent Bar to join the court, which is often under-resourced, underpaid and isolated. They are subject to great scrutiny and sometimes undeserved criticism from the media, government and public. They make this sacrifice because having a robust, independent and fair judiciary is vastly more important to our society than most people realize.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I have very few talents so my choices are limited—perhaps an academic or writer.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
Kate Sullivan, the corporate lawyer in the 1991 film Other People’s Money. The film wouldn’t be made today, and the characters are larger than life, but not so far from reality at that time. I like the dialogue:
‘Kate: Why so uptight? It’s not illegal.
Garfield: It’s immoral. A distinction with no relevance to lawyers. But it matters to me.’
What change would you make to the profession?
For the first four years’ post-qualification, I would make it a regulatory requirement that associates have to sit with a senior associate or partner in the same room for at least four days a week. The public are entitled to expect that solicitors at four years’ PQE or above be able to have the full carriage of matters—which is very rare now. The supervisor should be required to sign off on the associate that they are functioning at the standard of a solicitor, and provide the solicitor with adequate work and supervision so that they are developed to that standard.
Working from home has meant that there has been a hollowing-out of skills of junior and mid-level solicitors. This was done for me, and I did it for others. It was not credited or billed time—it was simply part of the job. Please direct all hate mail to NLJ.
How do you relax?
Reading a good book on a remote island with no Wi-Fi or email reception. Playing chess. Country walks with my family and our labrador. Also of course wine, but that goes without saying.
James Bremen is presiding partner of Joseph Hage Aaronson & Bremen and head of the construction litigation and arbitration practice.
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