NLJ PROFILE: Lakshmi Turner, Solicitors for the Elderly

What was most satisfying about seeing your work recognised at the LexisNexis Legal Awards this year?

It’s satisfying to know that a campaign produced by a membership organisation, had within its power the ability to get the government to backtrack on its stealth tax policy. Delivered with our PR team Stand Agency, the campaign fought for fairer probate fees.

As the CEO of the organisation, I accepted the award for Legal PR and Media Comms on behalf of all SFE members. This award has helped us to raise our profile even more within the legal profession.

What was your route into the profession?

As I’m not a lawyer, I was brought into SFE to develop it as an organisation. My experience in business strategy, marketing and communications, as well as my MBA, have enabled me to work for this incredible organisation.

What has been your biggest career challenge so far?

Change management! I have made some big changes to SFE and managing these changes with our members has been challenging, but ultimately rewarding to see SFE go from strength to strength.

Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?

I have to name two people:

• Denzil Lush—former senior judge of the Court of Protection—for his plain speaking and his pragmatic judgments often in extremely complex and difficult situations.
• Trevor Lyttleton MBE—for his amazing setting up and running of the charity Contact the Elderly. I also admire his great work to improve the plight of musicians as he took on the performing rights society to change the fortunes of musicians forever.

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

I would be a musician—a cellist.

Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?

Nothing beats Rumpole of the Bailey!

What change would you make to the profession?

It worries me that the poorest members of our society can’t access legal services. As legal budgets are cut, it makes it near impossible for those from less affluent backgrounds to get the legal help they need. I know many lawyers who do voluntary and pro-bono work, and this does help, but I wish more could be done.

How do you relax?

Swimming and playing the cello, but not at the same time! Although that could be an interesting challenge.

Entries for the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2019 are now open, and should be submitted at www.lexisnexislegalawards.co.uk by the closing date of Friday 16 November 2018. The awards ceremony will be held at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane on Wednesday 13 March 2019.