Partner promotions 2022 Meet our new partners 5

Tim West, Dispute Resolution, London

What makes Ashurst extraordinary?

Its people and its focus on caring for its people. Throughout my career at Ashurst I have had the opportunity to work in a number of different locations, allowing me to meet and work with so many talented colleagues and clients. From my secondment to the Paris office as a trainee, to undertaking pro bono work in Malawi as a newly qualified lawyer, to spending seven years in Sydney before returning to the UK at the onset of the pandemic - Ashurst really has been an extraordinary place to work and is a firm in which you are genuinely supported to succeed.

As we celebrate 200 years of Ashurst this year, what do you think lies ahead for the legal industry?

The way we work as lawyers is changing at a faster rate than ever. Much of this has obviously been accelerated by the pandemic and the legal industry is adapting to new working patterns and ways of interacting with colleagues and clients. As part of this, there is, pleasingly, an increasing focus on wellbeing and a realisation of the importance of promoting and enabling conversations around wellbeing. While we obviously can't eliminate all stress from the workplace, the legal industry is (and certainly within Ashurst) increasingly focused on moving towards more thoughtful and considered methods of working that can reduce unnecessary individual and team stress.

What is the best advice you have been given, and by who?

Treat others how you want to be treated. From a career perspective, it always pays to be nice to people – you never know how and when your paths may cross again in the future! But it would be remiss of me to not to give an honourable mention to my late Grandmother (an incredibly rich source of wise adages) who encouraged me to approach everything in life in moderation, including moderation.

Steve Whittington, Tax, Sydney

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

Our genuinely collaborative culture – working across different practice areas and jurisdictions to deliver for our clients.

What do you enjoy most about working in the legal sector?

Developing creative solutions to complex problems or issues that our clients encounter.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

I was once given a University sports award for debating, over a person who was selected in the All Blacks. He obviously deserved it.

Molly Woods, Corporate Transactions, London

What makes Ashurst extraordinary?

What makes Ashurst extraordinary is the emphasis placed on people and culture, while engendering a high-performance, technically excellent service provider environment; not an easy pursuit in the fast-paced and ever-changing markets we and our clients operate in. We have employee experience at the heart of what we do. Particularly in recent times our global policies have evidenced a heightened focus on ensuring inclusion, diversity and belonging across our networks, with personal and family wellbeing as a key tenet. I am really proud to work for an organisation that values looking internally as much as it does ensuring external success.

As we celebrate 200 years of Ashurst this year, what do you think lies ahead for the legal industry?

It is no secret that as against society generally, the legal profession has progressed at a snail's pace over the last 200 years. However, in recent times and certainly in the time that I have been qualified, there has been a rapid race to catch up. What lies ahead for traditional law firms is continued competition to innovate and progress: to do more, for less and to think outside the box in our service offerings to clients and in our employment offerings to staff. It is an exciting time to be part of a partnership that sees the opportunity in these challenges.

What is the best advice you have been given, and by who?

My father often said to me growing up that "You have the ability to change your environment". This is perhaps an over simplification and it certainly demonstrates the privilege I have as an educated person with options, but I have always been comforted knowing that every day I get up and choose; if I arrive somewhere that no longer works for me, I have the ability to choose something different. It also helps in placing the onus me for my own success or happiness, which I think is important.

Nathan Bellgrove, Ashurst Advance Delivery, Sydney

What makes Ashurst extraordinary?

The firm has an incredibly clear vision about what it wants to be and where it wants to go.

As we celebrate 200 years of Ashurst this year, what do you think lies ahead for the legal industry?

I foresee an increasing expectation from clients for the delivery of solutions to their legal needs through a combination of skillsets that extend beyond those historically found in law firms, including the ability to scale, manage data challenges and design services with end users firmly in mind.

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

The firm has an incredibly clear vision about what it wants to be and where it wants to go that is articulated through its purpose and values. Innovation is a big part of that ambition and as a result the firm has invested significantly in NewLaw and made it a cornerstone of its strategic plan. Our capabilities in this area enable us to deliver a truly differentiated experience for our clients and our people that is 100% Ashurst..

Thomas Storer, Dispute Resolution, Sydney

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

The people. It's a privilege to work with so many fantastic lawyers who are collaborative, down to earth, and just really nice!

What do you enjoy most about working in the legal sector?

I love solving complex problems in high-stakes matters.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.

I previously trained as a violinist and classical singer.