The President’s Foreword

INTRODUCTION

The President’s Foreword

AUGUST 2022

Welcome to the Summer edition of Central London Lawyer where we are focussing on work/life balance. We live our ideals here at WHLS, so speaking of balance, it was great to meet so many members and guests at our summer party in July. A special thank you to Leap UK for their generous sponsorship of an impressive welcome reception! The weather played ball too, as we could bask in the evening sunshine overlooking Regent’s Canal. You can read our guest editor Anamitra Mukhopadhyay’s article about the evening on page 10. Keep you eyes on our social media in the coming weeks as we finalise our autumn events schedule. For a taste of what’s to come, see page 11.

We follow up last quarter’s magazine on a sombre note, however, as we reflect on the passing of John Davies, former managing partner, then senior partner of Pattinson & Brewer, and long-time WHLS stalwart. John was a secretary of Holborn Law Society for many years, and after the merging with the City of Westminster Law Society he was elected its president. You can read more of John’s life in law on page 7.

We have a number of exciting opportunities coming up to join WHLS delegations as they travel overseas once again. Bilbao, Barcelona and Palermo, amongst others, are on the list for October and November. You are invited to join members of the society as they chase the last of the summer sun whilst meeting colleagues and firms to share knowledge and business development opportunities. A full list of our international engagements can be found at page 15.

An insightful article from Shabnam Ali-Khan of Russell Cooke sets out tips when interacting with people with disabilities (p. 14). Morgan Wolfe of Leigh Day reports on Dieselgate and class actions (p. 9), and Sara Roden and Russell Strong of Greenwoods provide insights on DJ Rob da Bank’s court win concerning the downfall of Bestival (p. 24).

There are articles from our own JLD co-chairs, Felicia Munde and Keshia Bushay-Ellis (p. 12) highlighting their recent events program as well as further opportunities for junior members to get involved. Michael Polak and Mike Harwood of the Young Barristers Committee also write on how the young bar is working to re-engage post-Covid, including with the Anglo-Dutch Exchange, Commonwealth Lawyers Association and annual International Weekend in September, and the bar’s work focussing on mental health.

Finally, we have an inspiring update from our friends at the Krakow Bar Association, who continue to fundraise and coordinate aid and assistance for colleagues in Ukraine, page 21. Please consider donating to the Ukraine Appeal, which, as the Krakow Bar notes, is empowering Ukrainian lawyers, who thanks to your solidarity are making a difference in their local communities.

I sign off this time with a save the date for our annual awards. On 26 September WHLS is presenting the Gamlen Prize and NQ Rising Star Award in the formidable surroundings of the House of Lords. We are still accepting nominations for both awards too, so why not apply or nominate a junior colleague?

I look forward to seeing you at one of our events soon.

Matthew Allan

Matthew Allan

President

Westminster & Holborn Law Society