What was your route into the profession?
Giles (left): I argued a lot when I was a child and so decided that the Bar was where I could best put that to good use! I was a media barrister for about five years and then wrote a book on advertising law and went in-house at an ad agency before joining Lewis Silkin. I’ve also had stints as Chair of Westminster Citizens Advice, Secretariat for the Royal Commission on criminal justice, and Chair of Young Justice.
Richard (right): I had no idea what to do with my life and was drifting, did jury service and thought ‘that looks interesting’. I wrote to Pinsent Curtis (as was) in Birmingham to ask if I could speak to someone to find out more, and one cup of tea later had a training contract offer. When I see what today's aspiring lawyers go through I feel both very lucky and guilty.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Giles: I think probably not being taken on by only one vote after a 12-month pupillage at Blackstone Chambers. Also my decision to leave the Bar. And then latterly, helping to create and implement the Creators, Makers and Innovators division at Lewis Silkin.
Richard: Struggling to find an authentic way to be a lawyer. In the first few years of my career I felt like a fraud, pretending to be motivated and interested by my transactional support workload. It got so bad I decided to leave the law at one year qualified, and then a friend from my training contract persuaded me to try Lewis Silkin before giving up entirely on the profession. 17 years later I’m still here, so thanks very much to Laura Farnsworth for saving my career!
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
Giles: Those whose names we don’t know, who devote their careers to legal aid or pro bono work, citizens advice, legal advice centres, etc. Compared to them, it’s easy for the rest of us!
Richard: My former boss and fellow Lewis Silkin partner James Davies. A brilliant man who is genuinely selfless.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
Giles: Inventor or artist
Richard: Wild swimming guide
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
Giles: Maxine Peake as Martha Costello QC in Silk.
Richard: Atticus Finch.
What change would you make to the profession?
Giles: More inclusivity and more diversity. And being kinder to ourselves and each other.
Richard: Increase diversity for sure. Part of the challenge is to develop new working models—we have to invent a variety of new ways to be an effective legal adviser, that fit better with the lives talented people want to lead today.
How do you relax?
Giles: Rowing machine, running, sketching, meditation, and time with my wife and kids.
Richard: Family time, running, wild swimming and supporting Aston Villa—we’re back in the big time at last!
Giles Crown and Richard Miskella were recently appointed to the new role of joint managing partner at Lewis Silkin.
