Partner promotions 2020 Meet our new partners 3

Meet Jane Hall

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

Its collaborative and collegiate values, and its desire to be the most progressive global law firm. These are not just words on a page – we truly deliver through collaboration, and enjoy doing so with all of our colleagues, wherever they are located.

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

The variety of issues that I have the opportunity of working on – my days are never boring or predictable. Environmental law also enables me to combine my interest in environmental science and ecology with my love of the law.

What advice would you give anyone wanting to become partner?

To trust in yourself, to put yourself forward for opportunities that come your way, and to be your own greatest advocate (even if this doesn't come naturally) while being true to your personality.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

As a Science graduate, with a major in Zoology, my passion is exploring the underwater world scuba diving (preferably in warm tropical waters!).

What will a law firm and partner of the future look like?

Globally connected, nimble and efficient service providers that continue to put clients at the centre of what they do. My hope is that there is not an ability to pigeon-hole what the "partner of the future" will look like – they will be a diverse group of people, both in terms of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social background and disability status.

Meet Andrew Smith

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

Sounds cheesy but the variety and constantly challenging nature of the work. Sometimes I long for a slow day doing straight forward tasks that I have done before, but those days are very rare and I know that too many of them and I would start to get bored.

What advice would you give anyone wanting to become partner?

Keep going and learning. Constantly through my career I have looked at attorneys more senior than me and felt that I was unlikely to ever be able to do what they could do, only to find a few years later that I was doing it.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

Former Cambridge University rower. My career in law has allowed me to live and work in London, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and now New York. OK that's two facts.

What are you most excited about in the next 12 months?

My third (and last) kid should be potty trained sometime in the next 12 months. My wife and I are planning a huge party once we stop having to change diapers.

How do you see the legal sector further transforming in the next five years?

The projects team in the US focuses on infrastructure and we continue to see big opportunities for the firm in this space because of the clear need for infrastructure investment and improvements in the US. It will also be really interesting to see how technology such as electric and driverless cars continues to shape the industry.

Meet Silvana Wood

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

In the regulatory area, a combined legal and consulting offering from a single, high-end provider.

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

The rigour, discipline and collaborative effort which underpin the delivery of exceptional services.

What advice would you give anyone wanting to become partner?

Find a niche area of practice that you are passionate about and that sets you apart from everyone else.

What are you most excited about in the next 12 months?

Working together with clients to shape our combined legal and consulting practice in a way that best meets their needs.

How do you see the legal sector further transforming in the next five years?

Embracing innovation as a strategic theme, incorporating increasingly sophisticated technologies and ancillary services.

Meet Donald Slater

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

Our collaborative culture. I've been at Ashurst many years, even been out and come back. I've seen that culture strengthen over time and it's been particularly evident over the last few months during Covid-19.

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

Working with clients to find solutions that are the smartest, most efficient and work best for them.

What advice would you give anyone wanting to become partner?

Think long and hard and make sure you are part of a great team that you can support and that can support you.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

I love the sky. When I'm not being a lawyer or a dad, I'm flying a plane or jumping out of one.

What are you most excited about in your practice area/industry in the next 12 months

The consummation of Brexit, the post-Covid world and the incredible technological advances revolutionising production and supply chains. These are already having a huge impact on competition law and will continue to for the foreseeable future.