Thornton Legal Meets...Chris Longbottom from Clarke Willmott
Chris joined Clarke Willmott almost seven years ago, and he heads the Manchester Family Law team and Iis also the National Family Team Manager, covering Birmingham, Bristol, Taunton, Southampton and London. Chris has worked from Manchester for almost 18 years having qualified in Yorkshire where he is origionally from. What Chris says about Clarke Willmott and the family team reflects what the market tells us...a stellar firm, an excellent family practice and a top Partner! Thanks for taking the time Chris.
- How’s business
Good, the family team locally and nationally are busy and doing great quality work. The wider Manchester office has seen good growth this last year with partner hires into other teams and internal promotions. We are also growing quality relationships with key contacts and partners in the Manchester community to assist our mutual clients.
- Can you tell us a bit about your background, and your role at Clarke Willmott?
I joined Clarke Willmott almost seven years ago, I head the Manchester Family Law team and I am also the National Family Team Manager, covering our teams across our Birmingham, Bristol, Taunton, Southampton and London offices. I have worked from Manchester for almost 17/18 years having qualified in Yorkshire where I’m originally from.
- Why should a budding solicitor choose family law?
I think an aspiring solicitor should try and keep their career options open for as long as possible, which in fact would provide a great base for family law which, inherently, naturally involves many other areas of law from day to day; such as private client, commercial and corporate, conveyancing and so on. We regularly call upon our colleagues here at Clarke Willmott in those teams to assist our clients and look for new business opportunities for each other with cross referrals. Having a base understanding of those areas would be a great benefit. Family law is for you if you like liaising with people and helping to find solutions in complex and often emotive situations.
- What’s the best part of your job?
Leading on from above – helping people! That is why I stayed with family law after experiencing it within my training - I found job satisfaction in having a client come to me with a problem very personal to them and trusting me to find a solution.
- If you hadn’t been a lawyer, what would you have done?
I was supposed to be an architect. I am from a family of manual workers, and I did maths and sciences at school but fell into law during an accountancy degree (It was an elective and took my interest more than accountancy). I suspect I would be an accountant.
- How does Clarke Willmott stand out from the crowd?
I would say our people. Our culture is very important to the firm, and the Manchester office in particular. We are all incredibly personable with our contacts and clients and very ‘non lawyerish’ – until we need to be of course!
- Recruitment is a challenge for all law firms, why should a lawyer choose Clarke Willmott?
We are a lovely office to work at – and coupled with an excellent career path with a fantastic work/ life balance. We listen to our people and take our staff satisfaction seriously. When I have recruited into the team, I have often suggested that a candidate speak to the latest team member to have joined the team to get an honest view of who we are and how we work.
- What do you look for when recruiting into your team?
The right fit - both the candidate for us and ensuring we are the right fit for them too of course. It has to work for both, and we want it to be a long-term commitment to each.
- What are the plans for your department for the rest of 2024?
The national team has a long and successful heritage in family law. We have grown the ‘national feel’ of the team for the last few years and ideally, we can strategically grow our existing teams, and perhaps new teams into existing offices, without disrupting what we have already.
- How do you spend your time away from the office?
My children keep me busy with various sports and clubs which is great. Really, I like just spending time with my family and friends and winding down from the working week.
- What do you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
Perhaps that there are occasions when just picking up the phone and speaking is better than sending that email!
If Clarke Willmott sounds like the kind of firm you’d like to join and you'd like to know more, then please get in touch with Joe Rees on 07903222898 for a confidential conversation.