What was your route into the profession?
I always wanted to be a lawyer. I loved watching Rumpole of the Bailey and reading John Mortimer’s books on which the TV series was based. It’s what I saw myself doing. I read Classics at St Anne's, Oxford, then did a conversion course at City in London. I soon realised that a career at the Bar wouldn't suit me, and that I was more suited to being a solicitor. Luckily, I was offered a training contract at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer—then the place to be for aspiring litigators.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Setting up Quillon. Neither Michael Barnett nor I had ever done anything like it: it was a dream we wanted to turn into reality. You start from scratch and have to get out and win work.
The Maroil litigation came in two months after we started. That created another challenge: you're up against Freshfields and Reed Smith on a massive The Lawyer Top 20 case; how do you scale up quickly? We managed it. We were up and away. It has been so rewarding to see the way the firm has grown.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
David Foxton, now Mr Justice Foxton. He had it all: a technically fantastic barrister, an incredible work ethic, a great advocate and wonderful to work with. He had a light touch—exactly the same with the most senior and junior members of the team. Completely approachable, he encouraged a free flow of ideas and never shirked from giving the client clear advice, even when it wasn't what they wanted to hear. Selfishly, I was very sorry when he went to the Bench because I couldn't instruct him again. He remains a huge inspiration.
If you weren't a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I would like to have been a journalist. Many of the analytical skills are the same: gathering information, researching, investigating, communicating, meticulous attention to detail, and of course, working to strict deadlines. I've read several journalists’ autobiographies, most notably John Simpson's Strange Places, Questionable People, and I would have enjoyed the sort of journalism he exemplifies.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
Rumpole. As a precocious reader, who grew up in a working-class family in south-east London, my mum regularly took us to the local library, and I would take out as many books as I could. Rumpole was always my favourite. Despite his theatricality and his frailties, he was always true to himself and to his clients—often at great personal cost. He put that before career advancement. Other barristers knew how to play the game; Rumpole didn't care. Beloved by his clients, he always put them first.
What change would you make to the profession?
I’ve benefited immensely from being given the chance to prove myself by people who believed in me. I became a partner at Addleshaw Goddard at six and a half years’ post-qualified experience. That very rarely happens now because the prevailing culture is that you have to do your time and be at least ten years’ PQE. At Quillon, we’re not burdened by such preconceptions. We made James Clark up to partner at seven years’ PQE because he was doing the job so well. I'm a great believer in: if you're good enough, you're old enough. More partner appointments should come earlier to those who deserve them.
How do you relax?
I still love reading. I really like business autobiographies, especially by those who have made it, such as the American entrepreneur Victor Kiam, who bought and turned around Remington in the 1980s. In his autobiography Going for It!, he describes his entrepreneurial journey and what he learned.
Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive by Harvey Mackay is great too. It contains so many useful business lessons which still apply, such as ‘dig your well before you’re thirsty’ (which relates to networking), and ‘You’ll always get the good news; it’s how quickly you get the bad news that counts’.
Mark Hastings, founding partner of Quillon Law.
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