The Hamlins managing partner tells NLJ about his business & motorsports background, & why he’d like to remove the hourly rate charging system for lawyers
What was your route into the profession?
My interest in law grew during my year in industry as part of my business degree. I realised so many of the most interesting and material considerations for a business require key legal input, which I was keen to become involved with. I took the equivalent of a law conversion course upon graduation and qualified into a national firm called Edge Ellison (now Squires). Shortly after qualification, I moved to help set up a new motorsport series, working for the Sheikh of Dubai, which was a unique, intense and incredibly rewarding opportunity.
During my time in law, I have been lucky enough to have worked both in-house and as CEO for one of my clients, which has enabled me to maintain my connection to and interest in business and entrepreneurship.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Many of the challenges end up being the most enjoyable parts of the role. However, one that stands out was on day one of the first ever race of A1 Grand Prix when I was served with an injunction on the paddock at Brands Hatch, suggesting we would have to change the name of the event for which we had already sold almost 80,000 tickets if we were going to be able to race!
We went ahead and ran the event, but a three-year litigation with Formula 1 ensued over the use of the Grand Prix name. Thankfully, the litigation was successful.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
I have always had a great deal of respect for influential and skilled barristers and advocates. In this sense, George Carman has provided inspiration along the way.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternative career?
I’d be a PE teacher. Sport and mentoring are both hugely important to me, so the opportunity to teach sport would be a natural fit.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
Thomas ‘Tom’ Hagen, the fictional lawyer and consigliere for the Corleone family of The Godfather. I love the book and remain fascinated by the consigliere role, particularly the position of the lawyer sitting in the gateway to power.
What change would you make to the profession?
I would remove the hourly rate. Doing so would allow lawyers to offer their services more commercially rather than on a pure time recovery basis; doing away with it would allow work to be charged on a value basis.
How do you relax?
Spending time with my family and watching sport. These fortunately often occur at the same time! Weekends are mainly spent watching my daughter perform ballet and my son, who is in the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, play football. It is not unusual to go from The Nutcracker to Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur in one day!
Matthew Pryke is managing partner of Hamlins, which has recently acquired boutique practice Swan Turton.
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