6 minute read
In conversation with ... The winners of the 2022 BLS awards.
We got in touch with winners from this year’s Birmingham Law Society Awards and asked them a few questions about winning their award, their work, their goals and their experiences. The first four of these chats feature below - look out for conversations with more winners in future issues.
RICHARD PORT MBE: SOLICITOR OF THE YEAR
How have you celebrated your win?
With family and friends, it hasn’t really sunk in but we just attended the Platinum Jubilee National Service of thanksgiving so it was great to celebrate alongside the Queen.
Is there anyone that you would like to thank who has been instrumental in your success?
Claire Darley and Karen Bailey have been a great support over the years and I owe a lot to them. Especially encouraging me to carry on helping victims of domestic abuse when others have discouraged.
If you had to make an elevator/ twitter pitch about your day to day role what would it be?
Helping families and victims get through the family Law system in one piece and feeling as though they have a support system throughout their journey.
What has the pandemic taught you?
Always plan for the unexpected as you never know what can happen. Never expect the future to be a narrow trajectory, as plans can change, sometimes for the better.
If you could create one new law, what would it be?
I am a vocal advocate for tightening the laws on support victims of domestic abuse get in the Family Court. Too many victims are made to feel they are crying wolf or that their awful experiences don’t matter. More needs to be done rather than wishful plans.
What one thing do you think lawyers need to do to be better?
To listen to every client and make them feel respected and worthy of extensive support, regardless of their background or story. I have to explain to professionals which shocks me that victims of domestic abuse can come from all walks of life.
Some lawyers also need to ensure that whatever client they see, top client service should a basic given and not a premium add on.
TROWERS & HAMLINS LLP: EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD
Answered by Yetunde Dania, Partner Trowers & Hamlins LLP
How have you celebrated your win?
I took our trophy on a tour of our Birmingham office and it now sit proudly on reception for all to see and enjoy!
Is there anyone that you would like to thank who has been instrumental in your success?
Rebecca McCormick, Head of PR, who helped with the co-ordination of our submission.
If you had to make an elevator/twitter pitch about your day to day role what would it be?
I advise social housing sector and private sector landlords and their agents in relation to housing management and residential landlord and tenant non-contentious issues and disputes. My day is spent not only helping my clients achieve their objectives but also my platform to significantly advance the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda in the legal profession and beyond…as well as heading up our Birmingham office!
If you could create one new law what would it be?
For all types of discrimination to be abolished
What has the pandemic taught you?
To be kinder to each other and to live life to the fullest
What one thing do you think lawyers need to do to be better?
At Trowers we are working hard to improve our diversity and I’d like to see that happening across the legal sector as a whole.
EARL PINNOCK: BARRISTER OF THE YEAR
How have you celebrated your win?
Quite a boozy two weeks I’m afraid….or was it two months?! Colleagues and friends have been so generous. The Law Society organised a Winners Dinner at a great restaurant. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it all!
Is there anyone that you would like to thank who has been instrumental in your success?
My dad for setting a high level of expectation, my mum for being so gentle, my loving and supportive partner Jayne, my brilliant clerks, my ace colleagues in chambers and all of my loyal…. and extremely patient solicitors
If you had to make an elevator/twitter pitch about your day to day role what would it be?
Telling my clients that I only look miserable because i really-really-really do understand their case; persuading juries that they can trust me regardless of the wretched evidence I’m presenting to them; begging my clerks to keep me out of court so that the paperwork doesn’t suffocate me.
What has the pandemic taught you?
Not to take my back garden, family or friends for granted
If you could create one new law, what would it be?
To compel us all to subscribe to the daily newsletter of historian Heather Cox Richardson - ‘’Letters from an American”
What one thing do you think lawyers need to do to be better?
Dance
CLEO STEWART: IN HOUSE LAWYER AWARD
How have you celebrated your win?
My award was recognised at Midland Heart and publicised across social media platforms. We also had the BLS winners award dinner and of course family and friends private celebrations.
Is there anyone that you would like to thank who has been instrumental in your success?
My legal team has been very supportive along with a wide network of solicitors and mentors that encouraged and motivated me along with family.
If you had to make an elevator/ twitter pitch about your day to day role what would it be?
Multifaceted and diverse interested legal work where no 2 days are the same. Your colleagues are your clients working with mutual customers for fair socio-economic housing.
What has the pandemic taught you?
Being social is a human need because human beings are naturally by nature social beings which significantly affects ones overall wellbeing… keeping in touch with others is more vital than we thought.
If you could create one new law what would it be?
Freedom of movement ...the world is for everyone
What one thing do you think lawyers
need to do to be better? . Communicate – legal speaking and jargons whilst highfaluting and flowery is not a sign of intelligence absolute nonsense and is “otiose” if it makes no sense to the client.
