NLJ CAREER PROFILE: Nicholas Heaton, London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA)

What was your route into the profession?

I was always told as a child how argumentative I was, and that I should become a lawyer. I didn’t immediately follow this advice (demonstrating another important quality for a litigator: that of being contrary), instead I decided to study chemistry. However I later attended a summer vacation scheme at Lovell White Durrant, as my firm was then called, and was hooked. I thought at first I would become a patent lawyer—using both my chemistry and law—but that was not to be.  

What has been your biggest career challenge so far?

I have always found the legal work I do challenging—but that’s part of the enjoyment. Otherwise I would have lost interest before now. I have certainly had my fair share of challenging and complex cases, but for me, the real challenge is the sheer diversity of what is required of lawyers practicing today. We need to be ‘renaissance’ people—equally at home with business development, team leadership, business management and giving legal advice. That is the real challenge.

Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?

It is difficult to think of someone who has provided greater inspiration than Baroness Hale, as the first female president of the Supreme Court. She also projected a positive image of the judiciary to the public at a time when it was under political attack.

Others who have inspired me are the formidable Clare Wardle, who has gone on to be GC of a series of plcs, leaving an indelible impression, and the highly regarded litigator Michael Seymour, who in his time was also LSLA president.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?

A doctor—my daughter is studying medicine and I sometimes find myself thinking ‘what might have been?’

Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?

Watching drama or reading fiction based on the law is not my idea of relaxation—its either too close to work or cringeworthily inaccurate. Saul Goodman of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul (while not someone I would emulate professionally) is a refreshing antidote to the real thing.

What change would you make to the profession?

It would have to be increased diversity, with particular emphasis on social mobility.

How do you relax?

I’ve been told that when I am not working I am never still.  Perhaps that means I do not relax—but I find hacking down brambles in the garden or dingy sailing on the River Deben somewhat relaxing.

Nicholas Heaton is President of the London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA) and Partner at Hogan Lovells.