The Interview: Chris Allen

Chris Allen has not made it on TV yet but he is recognised as being highly influential on social media. Chris is the Managing Partner of Leeds based Blacks Solicitors - named Best Law Firm 11 - 30 Partners at the recent Yorkshire Lawyer Awards. This success was hot on the heels of the news that the Legal 500 had recommended Blacks in nine practice areas. Chris himself was named Managing Partner of the Year at 2011s Yorkshire Lawyer Awards.

What does your Twitter profile say about you? I am approachable and real.

Why law and why your particular area of expertise? It sounded interesting. Dealing with Employment law means you meet a lot of people who you can help and who are generally pretty grateful.

You are a Leeds based firm with a strong client base from the city; what do you enjoy the most about working with the people of Leeds? To be honest there are loads of positives; it would be difficult to pin it down.

What do you enjoy most about your job? The variety of people I meet and instructions we receive each day.

In these tough economic times; what is the most challenging element of your job? Ensuring our growth plans do not create unnecessary cash flow challenges.

In your view; what does the future hold for the legal profession - what will be the 'next big thing' in the legal industry? Large ABS operators with deep pockets will buy market share. Whether their true goal is customer service or maximising profit remains to be seen. They will tell you the former.

Who's been the biggest single influence or inspiration in your career and why? Martin Jobbings, our former Managing Partner, who recruited me in 1994. He showed me how to run a firm based on financial stability.

What advice would you give to an ambitious Solicitor at the start of their career? Get in to the habit of ringing clients back ASAP and develop an eye for attention to detail. Crack those and you can't go wrong.

Congratulations on your recent award at the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards - you won Best Law Firm; what does this mean to you and your firm? Thanks. I was delighted that we won. The award reinforces and endorses all the internal changes we have made in recent years and the focus we have put on staff retention, diversity of departments and client care. Well chuffed!

I see from your profile on your website that you are a football fan - who do you support? Bradford City AFC and Eldwick Juniors U9s (my sons team).

Thanks Chris.