LSLA President & Clifford Chance Partner discusses the fiery beginnings of his legal career
What was your route into the profession?
With no family background in the law, the profession rather found me rather than me finding the profession. As a Northern grammar school boy, I was told by an overenthusiastic careers adviser that given my appetite for confrontation, I should follow in the footsteps of Gorgeous George Carman QC. I suppose that was the first step on my journey.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Fortunately the tone for my career was not set on the first day of my training contract when I was asked to light a fire in my principal's office and I was sent out to buy lunch only to discover that I had lost my wallet. The challenges since then have fortunately had a much more legal flavour, although like most practitioners I have had some days in court I would prefer to forget.
Which person within the legal professional inspires you the most?
Apart from that first principal with the fire lighters, I have had many mentors over time who have guided me along the path. Most recently Simon Davis encouraged me to join the LSLA committee and ultimately take on the role as President. Day to day, however, it is the people around me that I work with that inspire me to do the best job that I can and motivate me to pass the baton to the next generation in a better state than when I received it.
If you weren't a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
At the risk of mixing business with pleasure… a wine merchant.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
The topical choice would be Harvey Specter but my favourite is My Cousin Vinny (Vincent Gambini) for making me laugh and cry at the same time.
What change would you make to the profession?
Increased diversity is a real and positive change on the profession that has occurred during the course of my career, but it has not happened with the speed, breadth or depth that most of us would want. True diversity will happen and the profession will be all the better for it. The frustrating reality is that fundamental change does not happen at the flick of a switch, but we all have a responsibility to make it happen as soon as possible.
How do you relax?
Teenage children can burst any bubble quickly – they make it very easy to leave the daily stresses and strains of work behind and focus on new challenges that are largely beyond control. They say a change is as good as a rest…
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