Partner promotions 2020 – meet our new partners

Meet Lucinda Hill

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

Our ability to deliver not only top tier, high quality legal advice, but novel and innovative solutions that go beyond a traditional offering. We also have a deep-rooted commitment to our people and clients. We create a genuinely inclusive and diverse work place where people feel respected and like they belong to an organisation that has strong values.

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

When clients come to a top tier law firm like Ashurst, it is often in a time of need, on matters that are fundamentally important to them, and that have strategic, economic or reputational consequences – and sometimes all of these. I love being able to support my clients through these challenging times; assisting them with strategic solutions with calmness, steadfastness and empathy.

What advice would you give anyone wanting to become partner?

Firstly you need to be technically proficient and have a thirst for the law and continuous improvement. That's a given in today's world. However, the thing that really differentiates Ashurst partners is our ability to provide trusted advice, build strong and lasting relationships and inspire our lawyers to excel.

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

Helping my clients face the upcoming challenges that will arise in the post Coronavirus landscape. The next 12 months will bring with it unprecedented challenges but also incredible opportunities to do things differently. I am also excited to join the partnership as a strong female role model and an advocate for women in the work force.

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

Law firms will become increasingly agile. Law firms and partners will be more flexible and adept at using different tools (technological, cultural and commercial) to provide solutions that are far beyond just the technical legal answer. The way we work will also change, with law firms embracing flexible working arrangements and that people can effectively work from home.

Meet Lorraine Hui

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms? 

It's a firm which stands out for being progressive in striving to innovate and deliver the best outcome for clients. 

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

I enjoy the camaraderie that comes with working in large teams and working closely with clients on complex disputes and investigations. 

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself 

A few years ago, I went snorkelling for the first time off the coast of El Nido on Palawan island in the Philippines. It was something I had always wanted to do. Pretty much as soon as I jumped into the water, I was stung by a jellyfish, but I was so intrigued by the amazing marine life that I was determined to just continue snorkelling. (Perhaps not the wisest decision in hindsight.)

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

Strengthening client relationships, particularly as we work together to navigate some challenging times ahead for everyone globally. 

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

The sector will look less "traditional" – with more traditional law firms moving into the consultancy space, more alternative legal service providers, more legal technology specialists, and more flexible and remote working arrangements. 

Meet Eleanor Reeves

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

How we think and act globally as a firm. Connectivity and collaboration benefits our clients, our people and our business. One of the highlights of the partnership process for me was connecting with fellow environmental Partner, Jane Hall in Melbourne. We speak every week and having a more global perspective has turned out to be even more valuable during the pandemic.

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

Working with some brilliant people from diverse backgrounds on complex, challenging and important issues. It's also been brilliant to be part of Ashurst's Sustainability practice, which has highlighted that diversity and inclusion are critical to addressing global issues which impact every sector and stakeholder. 

What advice would you give anyone wanting to become partner?

Convert your aspiration into readiness by considering the firm's partnership framework and being honest with yourself about whether you are already acting like a partner. If not, do something about it before entering the process. 

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself 

I am sometimes confused with my namesake, Ellie Reeves MP (Shadow Solicitor General and employment barrister). 

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

I think we will see much greater collaboration between clients and also between law firms, enabled by technology and driven by a desire to do things better and more efficiently. The legal sector has a significant role to play in the global efforts needed to address climate change and biodiversity loss, and the future depends on how quickly we can pivot from talking to acting.

Meet Bradley Rice

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

Our approach. We think differently, challenge the status quo and work with clients to find commercial solutions to difficult, innovative problems.

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

In my practice area, the variation. No day is ever the same. There is constant regulatory and market change, and we need to embrace it, interpret it and adapt quickly.

What advice would you give anyone wanting to become partner?

It's a marathon, not a sprint. Making partner is not the end of your career; in many respects, it is just the beginning. Everything you do now sows the seeds for becoming a successful partner. You will be building your own business – you need to plan for it, work hard and drive your own career – but you have awesome mentors and partners around you, and working together is crucial.

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

Change! I focus on digital transformations and fintech. We are on the cusp of a fourth industrial revolution, driven by technology and mass digital change. Financial services will be at the centre of this and I am excited about guiding our clients through this change and spotting opportunities to innovate.

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

I think law firms will be completely different from what we see today. They will adapt to become technology providers, and provide adjacent services that complement traditional legal advice. I would like to see mergers outside of law with firms that complement our legal services. We need to move into adjacent verticals to capture new revenue streams and deliver fully rounded services to clients as trusted advisers. This will be good for our people too. We will need a much broader range of skills and an even more diverse team of people to help us deliver our ambitions.