Louise Connacher, Lupton Fawcett
Lousie Connacher a director at Lupton Fawcett in Leeds discusses the attraction of living and working in Leeds
What is your legal background?
After studying at Cambridge, I studied for my Law Society Finals at the College of Law in York before starting my training at Addleshaw Sons and Latham in Manchester, where I specialised in employment law after qualifying as a solicitor.
I am now the Head of Employment Law at Lupton Fawcett in Leeds which is a growing area at the firm, advising both employers and senior executives on all legal aspects of the employment relationship from recruitment through to dismissal.
Why did you choose to live and work in Leeds?
I always wanted to work in the north, and after working in Manchester for some time I began to tire of the city and wanted a change. Leeds is a thriving, evolving city that offered me further professional scope to develop. Then a really great job opportunity came up at Lupton Fawcett to start up the employment law department, so my decision was made.
I love working in a city environment on a range of high level clients, and then escaping to the local pub on an evening or to the Dales on a weekend, so I have a great work/life balance.
What are the client advantages for using Leeds lawyers?
The main client advantages are cost, a down to earth approach and a high standard of service. In comparison to London, Leeds lawyers can offer good practical advice at a more reasonable rate, so clients get value of money and a high standard of service. In my experience, Leeds firms tend to be smaller so the clients also get a more personal service.
Word association: what three words describe the Leeds legal services?
Sensible
Commercial
Responsive
How’s the future looking for the Leeds legal sector?
The future will obviously be affected by the economic climate but as Leeds lawyers offer a great service for a more reasonable rate businesses will benefit from better value for money. The geographical location of the client doesn’t affect the legal services that we can provide as most day-to-day correspondence can be done over the phone or through emails, which is attracting clients from outside of the region – strengthening the legal sector and highlighting a bright future.
The Leeds legal sector also attracts great lawyers as they can offer a high level of service and a good work/life balance so the sector will continue to grow.
