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.

JAYNE WILLETTS - LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

How have you celebrated your win?

With a few glasses of Camel Valley Rose sparkling wine all the way from Cornwall so no wine miles. It was the tipple of choice at the 2021 G7 Summit in Cornwall

Is there anyone that you would like to thank who has been instrumental in your success?

Three people from my early days. John Penn Partner with Rotherham & Co who gave me a start in the profession as an articled clerk in 1980 when there was a global recession and opportunities were scare. John Aucott former Senior Partner at Edge & Ellison who recruited me in 1988; was an excellent mentor and encouraged me in all my adventures in the profession. And my late mother Joan who was a force of nature and always taught me to reach for the sky

If you had to make an elevator/ twitter pitch about your day to day role what would it be?

I am in the fortunate position of not having any staff to supervise or partners to report to so I am very much master of my own destiny and operate in a similar way to a barrister.

My clients range from large international and national law firms to high street firms to individual solicitors. On a daily basis I could be drafting a submission to the SRA or advising in conference or appearing as an advocate in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. Every day is different depending on the needs of my clients but every day I am guaranteed to learn something new.

What has the pandemic taught you?

That nothing beats meeting clients and professional colleagues face to face. Anything else is second best.

If you could create one new law, what would it be?

Confine the influence of the media to reporting the hard facts and exclude the media’s never ending personal and political commentary on every situation. Members of the public need to be left to form their own conclusions, not be led by the nose.

What one thing do you think lawyers

need to do to be better? Be proud of yourself and your profession and dress more smartly. Lawyers need to act and look like professionals.

AMELIA BAUER -TRAINEE SOLICITOR OF THE YEAR

How have you celebrated your win?

Unlike the awards night itself, my celebration was a low-key affair involving a Chinese takeaway and bottle of champagne!

Is there anyone that you would like to thank who has been instrumental in your success?

I would like to thank all of my seat managers (Claire France, Beulah Allaway, Kaleigh Grainger and Sarah Huntbach) during my training contract who have helped to shape who I am as a solicitor with their guidance and support, and have taught me so many valuable lessons. I especially would not have won this award without the encouragement of my training contract appraiser Lisa Whitehouse. Also a shout out to my family and friends who have never faltered in their support and belief in me.

If you had to make an elevator/ twitter pitch about your day to day role what would it be?

I am a healthcare regulatory solicitor. I chose to qualify into this area of law as it is so varied, fascinating and challenging. My primary focus is on contentious and non-contentious healthcare regulatory matters including registration issues with the CQC, compliance advice, factual accuracy challenges, regulatory enforcement work, and public inquiries.

What has the pandemic taught you?

As much as having quiet downtime is good, suddenly being confined at home made me regret the times I had said no to some social events and not made the most of my free time. Now that we are all returning to normality, I’m making sure I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way (be that work-related, meeting up with friends I’ve not seen for years, travelling, or trying a new hobby).

If you could create one new law what would it be?

I have long held the belief that families should have automatic non-means tested legal aid funding for representation at inquests into state-related deaths equivalent to that of the state bodies, public authorities and corporate bodies that are legally represented.

What one thing do you think lawyers need to do to be better?

Lawyers could be doing more pro bono work. Alongside my day-to-day role I am the Vice Chair of the Birmingham Law Society’s Pro Bono Committee. We are currently looking to have more lawyers on our committee so do get in touch if you are interested in getting involved!

REBECCA CHAUHAN - PARALEGAL OF THE YEAR

How have you celebrated your win?

I celebrated with my family and friends by enjoying lovely food, drink and winding down at a spa. In terms of celebrating this win with my sub-team, I have encouraged opening up conversations around young female success stories. I want them to feel they have visibility within the firm and are noticed for their contributions. I have also become more aware of recognising talent in the department including when there are occasions to celebrate this.

Is there anyone that you would like to thank who has been instrumental in your success?

I would like to thank my family, friends and mentors I’ve had over the years who have challenged, motivated and championed me. I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without their support and constant cheerleading by my side. Having a strong unit around you is crucial to keep you motivated and ensuring you are continuously kept in check.

If you had to make an elevator/ twitter pitch about your day to day role what would it be?

My role is predominately solution focussed after inheriting historic files from leavers of the firm. I review our existing systems/processes, identify the issues and streamline these to find solutions within the team which will enable a smooth transaction from initial instruction to completion. I do this through supervision of the staff in my team, line managing and training staff members in the department to recognise these issues early on to avoid correcting this further down the line. Once issues are identified we then analyse a more user friendly way of resolving this. I encourage my team to be forward thinking in this respect by asking questions like ‘how does the existing process affect others’, ‘is this the simplest way of achieving what we want or have we complicated it further’, ‘if I was to go on annual leave for a period of time would the process be able to run without me and ‘if I was to suddenly leave the firm, what impact would this system have on new starters etc’. When the end goal is met, this enables our team to not only meet the values of the company but in turn this makes our client’s lives easier.

What has the pandemic taught you?

I would say I have learnt to be more resilient, not to feel guilty about setting boundaries within the workplace and recognising that I need to take care of my mental health more than I did previously.

If you could create one new law, what would it be?

To ensure no person/persons experience homelessness and poverty.

What one thing do you think lawyers need to do to be better?

Have more compassion and empathy.

TREVOR ALLSOPP - PRO BONO AWARD

How have you celebrated your win?

I celebrated the win by taking a day off and doing some much needed gardening.

Is there anyone that you would like to thank who has been instrumental in your success?

I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff and volunteers who have passed through the Centre over the ten years we have been operating, to the clients who make the work so rewarding and enjoyable, and to my wife, Fiona, for her support and encouragement.

If you had to make an elevator/ twitter pitch about your day to day role what would it be?

I am a healthcare regulatory solicitor. I chose to qualify into this area of law as it is so varied, fascinating and challenging. My primary focus is on contentious and non-contentious healthcare regulatory matters including registration issues with the CQC, compliance advice, factual accuracy challenges, regulatory enforcement work, and public inquiries.

What has the pandemic taught you?

Our clients have had an even greater need for support than before. Fortunately, we have a great team of co-workers and volunteers who pulled together to work in a changed way which made everything possible, even to overcome the IT challenges.

If you could create one new law what would it be?

A law requiring the Government to properly fund access to justice schemes to enable the poor and vulnerable to obtain the legal support that they so often require.

What one thing do you think lawyers need to do to be better?

Demystifying legal issues and be more relatable to their clients