Newcastle News November 2017

Interviews
Meet the Committee
This month we have asked 2 committee members to volunteer as our interviewees for
November. See what Emma Heather from Nicholson Portnell and Nick James, our
Honorary Treasurer had to say:
Emma Heather – Nicholson Portnell
1 Why did you become a solicitor?
My parents encouraged me to get a “profession” and when I was younger
I thought there would be less blood and gore in law than medicine.
Nick James -
Honorary Treasurer
2 If you were choosing a career now would you still become a
solicitor?
If I was a youthful 18 year old with no experience of the world I probably
would. With the benefit of the experience I now have then probably not.
LAPSO, Fixed Recoverable Costs, Portals and closures of Courts (to name
but a few) are all pushing us towards being commoditised rather than a
professional advisors.
3 If you had not been a lawyer what would you like to be?
A maths teacher. It was the only other thing that appealed in those bleak
months trying to secure a training contract.
4 What has been your most embarrassing moment during your
professional career?
There have been a few!
• Being sent out of Court with a flea between my ear for not
having an attendance sheet. (I had never been told about such
things so now I make sure I tell all Trainees about them!).
• Being approached in the pub by a client and not being able to
explain away the attentions of another man to my husband.
The client eventually came to my rescue on that score.
5 Which sort of work gives you the most job satisfaction?
I have been lucky enough to practice in a variety of different areas even
though the days of the traditional High Street practitioner are virtually
unheard of nowadays. At the moment I am thoroughly enjoying a broad
range of Dispute Resolution work.
6 What do you do in your spare time?
Look after my 4 year old daughter, Imogen.
Quickies
what non law book are you reading at the moment?
Any fairy tale that is Imogen’s absolute favourite book in the world on any
given day.
what is the most recent film you have seen?
My Little Pony
what is your favourite food?
Indian
which is your favourite restaurant?
Artisam, Corbridge (I know, I know, it’s a Chinese restaurant and a very
good one at that).
where is your favourite holiday destination?
Kitzbuhel, Austria
what is your favourite pet?
I don’t have one.
1 Why did you become a solicitor?
There’s no history of it in my family but I did share a room with a law
student at university and had the misfortune to socialize with others of
the same ilk. Things got no better when I graduated and moved in to a flat
in Jesmond with two articled clerks, so I knew a little about the Law from
them and it seemed, to quote Steve Davis, interesting.
2 If you were choosing a career now would you still become a
solicitor?
I took a degree in Electrical Sciences. This led to a first career in Sales and
Marketing for various companies involved in the electronics sector. I’ve
therefore experienced commerce and the Law and much prefer the latter.
3 If you had not been a lawyer what would you like to be?
I’m retired now so my dream job would be to take over from Jack Dee as
chairman on I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue.
4 What has been your most embarrassing moment during your
professional career?
In the process of negotiating a company sale I stood up in a tense
multiparty meeting to hand over some documents. My client told me that
I appeared to have Tippex on the seat of my trousers. In fact, my aged suit
trousers had worn through to reveal my, er, undergarments.
5 Which sort of work gives you the most job satisfaction?
Company disposals. Owner- manager clients are often entrusting you with
selling their life’s work.
6 What do you do in your spare time?
I always thought that when I retired my golf handicap would plummet.
Not so. There are many reasons, most of which do not bear close scrutiny.
I have followed Sunderland AFC for nearly 50 years. I’m taking a break
from that at the moment for obvious reasons.
Quickies
what non law book are you reading at the moment?
A History of the World by Andrew Marr. (Honestly !)
what is the most recent film you have seen?
The Mountain Between Us. Total tosh.
what is your favourite food?
Modern European
which is your favourite restaurant?
Le Caprice in London
where is your favourite holiday destination?
Cyprus. We have been to the same hotel every year for 23 years and
never tire of it.
what is your favourite pet?
Our American Rag Doll cat Dolly who sadly died last year
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