All Interview articles

  • RichardAtkinson_LS_President_751
    Profile

    History man

    2024-10-14T15:07:00Z

    Criminal defence stalwart Richard Atkinson will lead the Law Society’s bicentenary celebrations as president in 2024/25. But his principal mission is to help rescue a justice system in ‘dire straits’, he tells Paul Rogerson.

  • John B. Quinn and Richard East
    Profile

    The mighty Quinn

    2024-07-24T10:29:00Z

    John B. Quinn and Richard East tell Paul Rogerson what it’s like to run the world’s ‘most feared’ law firm – and why they have been so successful in exploiting the London market.

  • Sam Townend
    Profile

    Brief encounter

    2024-01-23T15:04:00Z

    New Bar Council chair Sam Townend opens up to Eduardo Reyes about diversity and an existential crisis for criminal justice.

  • Kath Shimmin
    Profile

    Under oath

    30 June 2023

    Blake Morgan chair Kath Shimmin talks with Eduardo Reyes about swearing, drinking, leadership and missing the diversity bus.

  • Rachel McKoy
    Profile

    ‘Something quite magical’

    19 May 2023

    Rachel McKoy, president of Lawyers in Local Government, shares her passion for the ‘tapestry’ of planning and constitutional law, community and public service with Eduardo Reyes.

  • Rainbow Warrior- Greenpeace boat was sunk in 1985
    Feature

    'We have very little time'

    12 May 2023

    Seasoned climate litigator Kate Harrison has acted for Greenpeace for more than 20 years. But a good day in court only goes so far, she tells Eduardo Reyes – even now the policy arguments still need to be won.

  • Ian Jeffery
    Profile

    Leading light

    24 February 2023

    Law Society chief executive Ian Jeffery talks to Paul Rogerson about leadership, law and serving the profession.

  • Mick Antoniw
    Profile

    Go your own way

    27 January 2023

    Westminster remains hostile, but Cardiff is already preparing for the comprehensive devolution of justice policy and funding. Paul Rogerson meets Mick Antoniw MS, counsel general for Wales

  • Lubna Shuja
    Profile

    Activist lawyer

    28 October 2022

    New Law Society president Lubna Shuja is determined to take the fight to the profession’s outspoken critics by focusing on ethics, discovers Paul Rogerson. And she wants to hear from you.

  • Helen Johnson
    Profile

    Adrenaline junkie

    2022-09-05T00:01:00Z

    Helen Johnson tells Catherine Baksi what it takes to run an ‘Oscar-winning’ legal aid firm.

  • Mark Stephens 4
    Profile

    A life on the edge

    25 March 2022

    Media favourite Mark Stephens reviews a career that has encompassed hit men, Tom Jones and groundbreaking human rights cases. Eduardo Reyes reports.

  • Sandra Paul
    Profile

    'I shouldn't be here'

    11 March 2022

    Kingsley Napley’s Sandra Paul, a former social worker, talks to Eduardo Reyes about law as a second career and how she has seen the profession ‘change beyond recognition’.

  • Paul Watchman 2
    Profile

    Moving the goalposts

    2022-02-04T00:01:00Z

    Paul Watchman’s 40-year legal career has embraced a passionate commitment to pro bono work, promoting ethically responsible investment and combating climate change. And the former professional footballer tells Jonathan Rayner he is not slowing down.

  • Anne-Kavanagh
    Profile

    Nursing ambition

    15 November 2021

    Private practice solicitor of the year Anne Kavanagh talks about hospitals, career breaks and test cases.

  • Neil Hudgell, owner and chairman of Hull Kingston Rovers
    Profile

    On the ball

    1 November 2021

    Legal Personality of the Year Neil Hudgell grew up on a council estate in Hull and failed his A levels. Jonathan Rayner meets a solicitor who is used to confounding expectations.

  • Polly Sweeney
    Profile

    Climb every mountain

    6 September 2021

    For Polly Sweeney, public law is a compulsion. In her spare time, hears Eduardo Reyes, she scales different heights.

  • TONY_STOCKDALE_metamorph
    Profile

    Strength in numbers

    2 August 2021

    Metamorph, the new owner of QualitySolicitors, claims to be revolutionising legal services. Executive chair Tony Stockdale tells Eduardo Reyes why the consolidator is prospering when so many other ‘game-changers’ have faded away.

  • David-Gauke-seated
    Profile

    Man out of time: David Gauke

    14 June 2021

    David Gauke has found a safe seat at Macfarlanes, but the former lord chancellor tells Nick Kochan he remains politically homeless.

  • Naomi Angell_landscape-headshot
    Profile

    We are family

    24 May 2021

    In a stellar 50-year career in the law, culminating in a lifetime achievement award, Naomi Angell has witnessed a revolution in family and adoption law. And her passion for the profession remains undimmed.

  • I_Stephanie-Boyce-landscape-sitting-2021
    Profile

    First impression

    3 May 2021

    How will we persuade the politicians of the future to fund the justice system properly? Start teaching law to schoolchildren, new Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce tells us.