Meet the Team… Tom Williams

This month we introduce you to Tom Williams in the Dispute Resolution team. Tom joined HCR Law as a paralegal over 15 years ago and was recently promoted to Partner.

1. What first attracted you to a career in law?

Some people say that they always knew they would be a lawyer. Not me. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. I chose to study Classics at university because I loved the subject and hoped I would figure it out later.

My degree covered a wide scope, from translating Latin and Ancient Greek to studying ancient history and literature, art and archaeology, and even logic. Although the subject matter is different, and thankfully we don’t use Latin terms in law any more, that degree taught me a wide range of skills which I use every day, from forensic analysis of language, to identifying factual trends, and creating persuasive arguments.

I thought that being a lawyer would allow me to use these skills so decided to study law at a post-graduate level, and at that point I knew it would be the perfect fit.

2. What type of legal advice do you provide? And to what sorts of clients?

I help my clients resolve their legal disputes. Whilst this certainly involves legal advice, it goes beyond that. Every case has its own legal, factual, evidential and commercial context.  My objective is to consider all of this and help my clients get the best outcome. Most disputes I deal with are resolved without the expense and risk of going to court.

Anyone can find themselves in a dispute. Typical clients range from individuals who may have a negligence claim against a professional, to businesses who have a dispute relating to the supply of goods, as well as company owners who have fallen out about how to run their businesses.

3. What is your most memorable legal experience? And why?

I gave evidence in support of an application for a rare type of court order. Under the court rules the defendant, who was acting in person, was entitled to cross-examine me on my evidence before a High Court judge in a court room, something which very rarely happens to solicitors.

I still remembering walking up to the evidence box at the front of the court and swearing on oath to tell the truth. The process was over quickly and, even though I knew I was telling the truth, it was still nerve-wracking.

This gave me rare but invaluable experience of what it’s like to be cross-examined, so I can put myself in the shoes of a client who may facing the prospect of giving evidence.

4. What is your number one top tip for clients?

Think very carefully once a dispute has arisen before you act. Some of the hardest disputes to resolve have been where the parties acted rashly and made the situation much worse. If you have any doubt, speak to your lawyer. Some good advice at the outset can save thousands of pounds of legal fees later on.