OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Gateley Legal. Together with support from Pinsent Masons who will provide access additional access to virtual work experience. The benefits include: • A university scholarship on the LPC • Advice on CV writing • Interview coaching • Training on presentation skill • Mentoring • A place on the Trainee Assessment Day In September 2020 we provided scholarships to 2 successful candidates. One of the candidates has secured a training contract at Gateley Legal and the other candidate was offered a paralegal position at a local law firm. We ran the scheme for a second year for the 2021 cohort. If you would like to get involved with this scheme, please contact BLS.
I can’t believe that 15 months have passed so quickly but I am pleased to report that Birmingham Law Society has achieved so much during the pandemic. We continued to support and engage members and the wider Birmingham community throughout lockdown. At my inaugural speech in July 2020 I said, ‘we are stronger together’, which continues to ring true as we continue to work together and support each other for the betterment of the profession. My term of office was unusual in that no-one could have predicted a global pandemic, lockdowns, social distancing, long covid and a tragic death toll. Sadly, we have all been affected by this pandemic. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our essential workers who have assisted us by going above and beyond during these difficult times. My initiatives: In 2020 I announced plans to take forward three initiatives during my time in office: 1. First - flexible Working – Historically law firms were cautious about flexible working, but Covid-19 forced everyone to adapt to remote working. With child-care, elderly parent responsibility and work life balance, flexible working should be an option where practical. During lockdown 6 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
firms reported (i) increased productivity; (ii) increased profit and (iii) an improved client experience and (iv) an improvement in staff morale. The majority of firms have also introduced hybrid working policies. Long may this continue! 2. Law & technology - No-one can deny that technology is having a huge impact on the legal sector, especially during the pandemic and can only continue due to innovation and talented young lawyers. I wanted to promote and educate members on Law and Technology. I am pleased to report that in October 2020 Birmingham Law Society held our first LawTech Conference in partnership with Oosha Ltd. Over 350 delegates attended this conference and over 1500 people have streamed the conference to date. In November 2020 we set up our first LawTech Committee whose remit is to educate member firms on how technology affects the legal sector and how to use it effectively. I recently met with the SRA and Legal Services Board who wish to partner with BLS to launch a technology pilot to support smaller and medium law firms to access technology. Details about this pilot should be circulated shortly. 3. Diversity Inclusion Scheme - I am pleased to announce that BLS established its first Diversity Inclusion Scheme, partnering with The University of Law; The University of Wolverhampton; Harrison Clark Rickerbys; and
Child Brain Injury Trust I would like to thank you all for helping me to raise £22,081 for this charity who help children and young adults who have an acquired brain injury. The funds raised will go a long way to help the both the injured young people and their families cope with the realities of life after a brain injury. Note of Thanks I would like to thank everyone who supported me during my term, especially: • Stephanie Perraton - Vice-President. • Tony McDaid - Deputy Vice-President. • Joint Honorary Secretaries – Stephanie Brownlees and Pardeep Larga together with our current Joint Honorary Secretaries: Mariyam Harunah and Clare Murphy. • Dee Kundi - Chair of the board together with members of the Board; Council members. • Office staff • Committee Chairs and committee members, • You, our Law society members together with friends and family who supported my Presidency. I reserve special thanks to Rod Thomas, Managing Partner at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, my team at Medical Accident Group and the HCR family for going the extra mile. Last but not least, I would like to thank all of our sponsors who sponsored so many events throughout the pandemic. The Society appreciates your continued support. Finally, at this time, I am reminded of Geoffrey Chaucer’s proverb from his 1374 poem, Troilus and Criseyde, ‘All good things must come to an end’.
