Annual General Meeting – Nick Dell’s Review of the Year

Posted on29 November 2012

Retiring President of Bristol Law Society, Nick Dell, gave the report of Council to a packed 142nd Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 28th November.

Nick Dell reported that it had been a "challenging but yet rewarding year" for the Society. Action had been taken to review membership at a difficult time and consultants were reporting back to the Society on appropriate strategies for the future. Corporate rates were being introduced in response to requests from a number of firms.

Three very successful conferences had been held during the year, in addition to a good number of attractive and current CPD sessions offered in conjunction with CLT. Socially, the Summer Party had been an enormous success, whilst the new NQ event (held at the Law Library) had been well attended and plans were underway to welcome 2013 qualifiers in a similar vein. The general knowledge and music quizzes were also well attended, thanks being extended to Ben Holt the genial question master for these events.

The Society has a valuable role representing all Lawyers in the Bristol area and as such is uniquely placed to be a forum for exchange of ideas and views. The Society has accordingly held a dinner for managing Partners for local firms and another one for Finance Directors of local firms. Both were excellent opportunities to share practice and information.

The Society has a valuable role in representing local practitioners and has done so this year with regular meetings with the Joint 4 ( a group containing the Law societies of Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool as well), with the Association of South West Law Societies, with the local JLD and of course with the Law Society. The Society has also hosted a successful Q&A session with local MP, Kerry McCarthy.

The high point of the year is always the Annual Dinner, which was recently held at the Bristol Marriott Hotel. A number of local firms and individuals were recognised in the Annual Awards ceremony held on that evening. Pleasingly, a large sum of money was raised on the evening for Quartet Community Fund, the chosen charity.

A number of sponsors have worked with BLS over the year and the main sponsor was UWE. Ever mindful of the future of the profession, BLS works with UWE to offer a placement scheme for LPC students, and President Nick Dell thanked firms who had participated in 2012 and urged firms to participate again in 2013 in the scheme.

Finally, Nick Dell thanked the BLS members, the Council of BLS and also the Executive for the support he had received during his successful year as President.

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS