Nick heads up the Dispute Resolution and Insolvency Team, having been with Aaron and Partners for over 20 years. In May 2019 he became the firm’s Senior Partner.
Click here for Nick's profile on the Aarons website.
Can you tell us a bit about your background, and your role at Aaron and Partners?
My background as a lawyer is as a litigator. I handle commercial disputes with particular expertise in logistics based disputes and also contentious insolvency work. I’m from Chester and after University wanted to return to the North West so the opportunity to do high quality commercial work in Chester was hugely appealing. I trained at Aarons and have been here ever since – 21 years in August
What has been the most memorable piece of work you have been involved in?
There are lots of cases and clients that are memorable for many different reasons. The case that sticks most in my memory was a trial heard in London by Mr Justice Moore Bick as he was then concerning the application of a third party general lien. It deals with a very niche area and is one of the reasons why logistics has developed into my area of expertise
If you hadn’t been a lawyer, what would you have done?
A butcher.
How’s business at the moment?
Pretty good in the circumstances. We have a good existing case load and new work is continuing to come in, though there has undoubtedly been a slowdown in new instructions in some teams as you’d expect given the situation.
In the Covid19 era, what is the main challenge as Senior Partner?
Being Senior Partner obviously requires that you provide leadership to the firm. The challenge of that in the current circumstances is striking the right balance in communications with the firm between honesty in recognising the difficulties the current situation gives rise to and providing hope for the future.
What opportunities can you see?
The unfortunate reality of the situation is that there will be insolvencies. This provides opportunities for those with cash or access to finance to acquire businesses and assets out of insolvency. Economic downturns also generally lead to an increase in disputes work.
How have you found lockdown?
Good and bad. I’ve just become a father so being at home more than I otherwise would have has been great. On the downside I really miss the interaction with the team which I’ve found just can’t be replicated via video calls.
How have you kept in touch with colleagues?
We’re having daily management meetings, weekly team leader meetings and regular team meetings too – all via Zoom. Our Marketing and HR teams have worked with our social committee to ensure we maintain social contact too – for instance a weekly Zoom quiz. I’m the head of the dispute resolution and insolvency team as well as being senior partner and we have a team WhatsApp group to stay in touch too.
What about clients?
Phone and e mail – much the same as usual really without the face to face meetings. Some teams have had to continue face to face meetings such as the Wills team, subject to appropriate social distancing being applied.
What are the 3 things you miss most from your pre lockdown life?
Going into Chester at lunchtime for a sandwich; going out drinking with friends at weekends; football.
What do you think the biggest change will be working life post lockdown?
There’ll be a lot more working from home and more hot desking (once it’s safe) with reduced pressure on our office space.
What’s the first thing you’ll do when lockdown is lifted?
Introduce my 5 week old baby to his grandparents, aunts and uncles.
What restaurant you will visit?
