Introduction of ABS has taken lawyers out of their comfort zone

I think that the combined effect of the recession together with the introduction of Alternative Business Structures has meant that lawyers have been taken out of their comfort zone and bought into a world where commercial creativity and absolute responsiveness to client needs are crucial to future success.

What law would you like to see changed?

TUPE – the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations.

Although the sentiment must be right, i.e. to protect employees when the identity of their employer changes, it operates in an unwieldy and often unrealistic way.

What is the most exciting work you’ve ever done?

My interest in law was sparked by involvement on behalf of my student union in obtaining an injunction to freeze the assets of a manager who had been systematically defrauding the union for over a decade.

As a wet behind the ears, newly-elected student union officer thrown into the depths of court room action, it was a great introduction to the legal world.

Although, hopefully, these days, I know a little more about what is going on around me.

Who in the legal world do you most admire?

Baroness Butler-Sloss, the first female Lord Justice of Appeal.

What advice would you give someone starting out in the profession?

As a trainee solicitor, my first supervising partner told me that he thought I’d do well as I always had well-polished shoes!

It does reflect the fact that clients take technical knowledge as read and that you need to be an all rounder, with well-polished footwear, of course.