Inspiration:

I am inspired by good lawyers. Justice has always been important to me. Justice is a no more than a technical way of saying ‘fairness’ – that we should all treat each other fairly. Even though life is unfair, it doesn’t have to be unfair all the time. As lawyers, we can do something about it. I do fundamentally believe that where we can we should try to increase fairness. I want to fight for a cause because the cause is the right one. When fairness doesn’t happen, when what you see is inequitable, the more that unfairness grows, the more I want to do something about it. If I can help achieve justice for my clients, I’ll be happy.

Year of qualification:

1989

Specialises in:

Employment Rights and Industrial Relations

Career with Morrish Solicitors:

I head Morrish Solicitors Employment Rights team, providing advice and representation to Trade Unions and their members nationally and on a regional basis; and advising private individuals ranging from sports personalities to public sector workers, from factory workers to senior management.

My brief includes Trade Union constitutional, HR and Rule book issues (including the production of a wholly re-written Plain English Rule Book for one of the Practice's Trade Union clients).

High Profile legal cases in which I have been involved include industrial action disputes, recognition cases in the High Court, wrongful and unfair dismissal claims and a wide variety of discrimination and whistle blowing cases.

Memberships:

Law Society. Labour Party. Society of Labour Lawyers. Employment Lawyers Association. Chairman, Leeds Citizens’ Advice Bureau. Guest Lecturer, Leeds Law School, Leeds Metropolitan University.

Interests:

Scuba Diving, Computers.

Heroes:

Very difficult to say. I don’t work on the basis of heroes. I did hear Nelson Mandela speak once, at the Labour Party Conference. He stood up to tumultuous applause, as you would expect, and said in a quiet voice three simple words: “I am intimidated”. As if the prospect of speaking to these people, there were only a few thousand, was something extraordinary. This, from a man who had addressed hundreds of thousands. It was delightful. It was an extreme example of humility from a man suited to a world stage. Something all of us should seek to emulate. And I’ve been inspired by Obama in the 08 elections. I think he shares my passion for fairness, though for him it’s on a global scale.

Associated Media Files:

News - Court of Appeal disappoints agency workers