All Change in the BLS Office

Posted on26 August 2014

BLS President, Ben Tarrant, updates the membership on some changes:-

The last couple of years have been an exciting and busy time for BLS and it is clear over the course of the last year, that the organisation and the business has gone from strength to strength and has become so active and ambitious that the Executive concluded that in addition to the Executive and Council who run the society so effectively that is was time to appoint someone to support them in the management of the BLS business and to develop the work of the society moving forwards. Presidents and those who sit on Executive and Council will come and go as time passes but we need a constant presence to run the business and have a grip on all aspects of the work of the society, its members and key relationships.

Therefore I am delighted to tell you that Helen Read, who many of you will already know, has taken on the role of Business Development Manager in addition to her role as the Head of Recruitment and Careers advice service. Helen hopes to be in touch with many of you in the coming months but do please get in touch with her on Helen.read@bristollawsociety.com if you would like to discuss any issues with her.

Sadly, we also saying goodbye to our Administrator, Valerie Squire, who has valiantly supported the work of BLS through this incredibly busy period. We thank her for all her work and wish her all the best in the future. We are therefore looking for a new administrator to work alongside Helen and the Executive, so if you are aware of anyone who would be interested, please see here for further details of the role and how to apply.

Please note that until we appoint Valerie's replacement, the Law Library will not be manned during normal office hours. If you wish to access the Law Library facilities, this can be arranged by appointment by emailing info@bristollawsociety.com for urgent matters or by leaving a message on the office answer phone which will be checked periodically. Hopefully, we will be back to full service very shortly.

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS