Interview with... Jeremy Garside

Why Law and why your particular area of expertise? As a teenager I watched a television program called "The Main Chance".  The fact that it was about a Lawyer struck off for misconduct didn't register at the time but the image it created of the profession was sufficient to persuade me that it was the sort of career I was looking for!  Although I qualified as a Lawyer I also have a Joint Honours in Economics and an MBA and it is because of these that I have moved more towards the managerial side of the Practice.  For me, the varied and interesting nature of the management role has always appealed.

Describe your firm in three words. Professional, approachable and local!

What do you enjoy most about your job? Business development has always been the key for me.  Seeking out opportunities, pursuing them and ultimately managing their implementation into the firm.

In these tough economic times what is the most challenging element of your job? Management of the cash is key to every legal practice!  The recession brought about significant changes in the way firms manage themselves not least because of the impact of the banking crisis and the attitude of banks towards Solicitors and their clients.

In your view what does the future hold for the legal profession; what will be the "next big thing" in the legal industry? The Legal Services Act has not yet had the sort of impact predicted by many in the profession; it is therefore "the last big thing" but also "the next big thing" in the legal industry!  The future will see a significant change in the status and role of the Solicitor within the legal profession as it is more about the impact on individuals in the profession rather than the legal market place as a whole.

Who has been the biggest single influence or inspiration in your career? The Partners in Chadwick Lawrence at the point at which I joined the firm as a Partner in 1988!  They gave me the opportunity to develop not just as a Solicitor but as a Manager.

What has been your greatest achievement so far in life? I always think the greatest achievements are still to come!  This gives me a positive outlook for the future!

Tell us a little bit about you...

I was born in Huddersfield and went to Ripon Grammar School and then read Economics and Law at Keele University.  After Chester Law School I took Articles with a firm called Ware and Co in York and on qualification joined what was then Chadwick Son & Nicholson which became Chadwick Lawrence in 1987, becoming a Partner in 1988.

During the course of my career I have dealt with most areas of General Practice.  Having initially managed a branch office in Ossett, I subsequently went on to open the Halifax and Huddersfield offices for the firm.  Throughout my time as a Partner, I have always had a significant involvement in the management of the firm and this was formalised with my appointment as Managing Partner in 2005.

I am married with two children, aged 20 and 15.  Oliver is currently at Northumbria University studying Architecture whilst Toby is doing his A Levels.  Outside of work I have many varied interests from the terraces at Huddersfield Town to the ranks of the Tenor section of Huddersfield Choral Society!  I was for many years, General Secretary of the Choral Society playing a large part in the management and administration and was involved in numerous foreign tours to places as far flung as Japan!