Tom Lyas, recruitment manager and winner of the LexisNexis Legal Awards Personality of the Year 2022 discusses challenges in the legal sector and the changes he’d like to see
What was your route into the legal recruitment?
I’ve been in recruitment for almost 20 years, mostly ‘in-house’ at large organisations such as Tesco and Whitbread, and I’d carved a specialism in graduate programme development. I regularly saw brands like Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Hogan Lovells, A&O doing amazing things and really wanted to explore career opportunities there.
Having lived in London for ten years I was considering a return to my native Nottingham, but then a role came up that was with a big legal firm in London for Head of Graduate Recruitment. I applied and did well in the process, but after the final interviews was told I didn't have the required legal sector experience. While this was disappointing, I immediately accepted an offer to join Browne Jacobson, and was delighted my next career move was sorted.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
This might sound like a cliché, but I don’t like to think of things as challenges—just as opportunities. You don’t have to delve too deep to realise the legal sector is full of them. I do think there are a couple of points worth noting however:
1) increasing the pace of change within law firms can be a big hurdle, it’s easy to overlook just what an outstanding influencer you need to be to get such a huge number of stakeholders (partners) onboard with ideas and initiatives, particularly if it involves investment from their own profits. And in addition, once you do get them onboard, more often than not they want it done the very next day!
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
There are so many people at Browne Jacobson (too many to name) that inspire, encourage and support me.
I. Stephanie Boyce is certainly someone I take inspiration from and have a huge admiration for—the messages and actions she has put out during her Presidency at The Law Society are superb and her legacy will be a fantastic one.
If you weren’t working in a law firm, what would you choose as an alternate career?
My dream career would be as a gold miner. I can’t get enough of watching the TV shows such as Gold Rush where they relentlessly look to ‘strike it rich’ in Alaska and Australia, and just walk around finding massive 20oz nuggets of the stuff. I once read a book called 'Gold Fever' by Steve Boggan and it just lit a flame in me that I don’t think I’ll ever extinguish—when retirement time comes I’m getting the flight booked.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
It’s cruel to make me to choose just one! I confess, I’m a Suits fan—my favourite character is Louis Litt. I also love Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad—the way he is able to justify his behaviour to himself is just fascinating to behold. But my all-time favourite fictional lawyer has to be Joe Miller from the film Philadelphia—the powerful messages within that performance had a lasting effect.
What change would you make to the profession?
Fair access to opportunity (be that work experience, mentoring or employment). I think the work Browne Jacobson have done shows how big an impact you can have without the need for huge resource (either financially or human). We’ve been brave enough to challenge the out-dated traditional thinking that sadly still remains within some parts of the industry (for example that A-Level grades and Degree Classification accurately predict how someone will perform in a role.)
How do you relax?
My job is quite relentless and as an introvert I really appreciate (and need) the down time when it comes. I live within half an hour of the Peak District and can be found there most weekends with my dog, racking up the miles. I’m lucky to have that option so locally—it’s good for my mind, body and soul.
Tom Lyas is a recruitment manager at Browne Jacobson and was the winner of the LexisNexis Legal Awards Personality of the Year 2022.
