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HOW A LOVE FOR THE PAST INSPIRED A GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE
HOW A LOVE FOR THE PAST INSPIRED A GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE
On the 26th June 2024, Edmund Parker, a derivatives partner at Mayer Brown LLP, was elected as the new Master of the City of London Solicitors' Company (the Company) heralding a new and exciting era for the Livery Company that he has been a part of since 2011.
Edmund has many plans for the year ahead; from grass roots stuff to more blue sky thinking. He will be driving into place new infrastructure to serve the Company for years to come. Part of the charm and attraction of Livery Companies is their ability to safeguard and continue traditions from history and to make them part of the world we live in today. Edmund has a passion for the past - and, indeed, his love of history was one of the many reasons he joined the Company initially - but equally he recognises that for the Company to thrive in the future it requires a a futuristic approach. As well as moving into new premises, the Company will also be enhancing its IT and management systems and structures in a highly forensic way that is a part of Edmund’s DNA.
Regarding the bigger picture, Edmund’s theme for his year is ‘Gateways’. Edmund’s mission is to get more City lawyers (both private practice and in-house) to join the Company and to become active engaged members, quickly progressing from Freemen to Liverymen. He also wants there to be a gateway to the much bigger Livery movement. This has always been there, but relatively few have explored it before, and the potential for greater participation and enjoyment is huge.
Before the pandemic, most Livery events were focused on dinners and invitations to individual Livery Masters but now there are so many interesting and varied lectures and events that are open to members and Edmund’s aim is to encourage Liverymen and Freemen to access broader City livery life.
Edmund also feels that, currently, the membership of the Company primarily comes from private practice law firms and he would like to see that extended to bring in more in-house lawyers. A new Livery Management system is currently being put in place which will give a much clearer, more precise picture of the make-up of the Company. Getting on top of the data and using that to get more engagement is very much on Edmund’s agenda. As is finding ways to attract a next generation of younger and more diverse lawyers.
“For me if we can in the next year, get a whole stream of new people joining, inspire them and those who have not been particularly active members to become active members and provide opportunities to access the broader Livery movement, I think that will be a great achievement.”
Most City law firms have a CSR policy and there are many lawyers who are passionate about doing charitable work. The Company has an active Charities Committee. Edmund intends to spread the word about the work the Company is doing and inspire lawyers who would like to get involved.
What else does he think will attract new members?
“Currently there are about 35,000 private practice and in-house Solicitors' in the City so there is a big audience but currently only a small percentage are engaged with us. The Company’s values are collegiality, fellowship and charity. People are drawn to these principles. They will also be drawn to the programme of events if we make it interesting and attractive enough - and they know about it.“
Edmund himself was inspired to join partially because he loves the history and traditions of the City and also because he felt that, because of the intensity of being immersed in private practice, lawyers often don’t see the broader City for what it is. The Company was established in 1908 and can tap into the City’s glorious history and having a gateway into that he considers a privilege.
“I have been so fortunate to do some wonderful things over the years as a Liveryman that otherwise would not have been open to me, like taking my children to the sheep drive over London Bridge. Also to dine at some of the great halls in the City that I might never have been able to visit in any other way. There have been wonderful trips including wine tastings in Bordeaux and Burgundy, trips to the Normandy beaches and the museums of Madrid. I want others to have these opportunities too, as they are extraordinary experiences that are simply not open to everyone.”
Edmund paints a very inviting picture. No doubt those gateways will soon be flooded with solicitors eager to be a part of such a glorious organisation and the Livery movement
