What’s your Style? Dan Hirst, Chadwick Lawrence

Dan Hirst is a partner in the dispute resolution team at law firm Chadwick Lawrence.

What was the last picture you took on your phone?

Pictures of #TeamLitigation for our Warhol inspired team wall

Best compliment you’ve received?

You are the worlds best lawyer

(I gave the client a discount)

Greatest strength and weakness?

Strength.  My positive attitude.

Weakness.  My inability to say no to an invitation.

Who would be your perfect dinner date past or present?
David Attenborough

Favourite Designer/High Street Brand?

Hugo Boss by day and Reiss by night

Favourite Food/Drink?

A good steak and a nice bottle of red

Favourite Place in the world?

Put me on a beautiful beach with a Pina Colada at my side.  Give me some peace and quiet and a wifi connection in case I can’t resist checking emails and I will be happy.

If you could do anything, knowing what you know now, what would you do?

I wouldn’t do anything different.  Life has taught me valuable lessons. Difficult times have made me a stronger person and have allowed me to better appreciate the good times.

What have you always wanted and did you get it?

Not telling and not yet……………..but I will

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a clown.  My dreams may come true on 19 May 2016

What makes you happy?

Being in the middle of others who are happy.

Where did you start your career?

I have had an interesting path to law.  From general manager of hotels and restaurants to marketing.  I have worked as a bin man, I have worked in kitchens and I have sat on the board of technology start-ups before arriving at law.

What does your job include/Title?

Partner in the dispute resolution team. 

What is it the company does?

We describe ourselves as Yorkshire’s Legal People.  We are a full service legal Firm with seven offices across the region.

What do you believe makes a great leader?

I think that a great leader should act with integrity, be focussed, show empathy, be determined and be decisive.

Those qualities alone do not make a great leader however.  The key to a great leader is the team of people supporting him or her.

What has been your biggest challenge in your current position?

Keeping 50 people motivated in the Leeds office throughout January and February 2016 during a time when the office had flooded, we were without heating for six weeks and had regular power cuts. 

With the use of fingerless gloves, cup a soup and bacon sandwiches we got through the cold times.  In the face of adversity, we have managed to build a stronger and happier team.

Where do you see the company in five years-time?

Being recognised as the best legal practice in West Yorkshire both from a perspective of client desire to engage our services and staff wanting to come and work for the firm

What advice would you give to an aspiring business leader?

Listen.  You will learn far more by listening to your colleagues, your clients or customers. 

You can build better professional relationships by understanding what makes people tick.

Who is your most successful/famous contact in your phone?

Lisa Darwin

Who is your role model in life/business?

Richard Branson.  I admire the way that he has tried to do things differently.  He has looked for ways to innovate and has not accepted the norm

Which city in the world, other than Leeds of course would you like to work?

New York.  (I like the sound of Pearson Specter Hirst for a law firm)